Emmitsburg, Md. – Friday marked a historic moment for Sacred Heart baseball as the Pioneers played their first conference game as a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) member. Returning to Mount Saint Mary's for the first time since 2021, when both teams competed in the Northeastern Conference (NEC), the Pioneers were unable to secure a series-opening win, falling in game one of the three, 21-5. 

Top Performers: 

Pitching 
Joey Trombley: 4.0 IP, 10 H, 9 R (8 ER), 2 BB, 6 SO 

Chris Mazza: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 0 SO 

Nick Kane: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 3 SO 

Trent Price: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO 

Aidan Gray: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO 

Hitting
Gavin Donohue: 2 H, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB  

Drew Martin: 1 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI  

Chuck Tallman: 1 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI 

Alex Ungar: 2 H 
 
How it Happened: 
 
Joey Trombley struck out the first batter he faced but then surrendered a triple to Sam Grube and issued a walk to Ty Fredo. Bryce Rudisill capitalized, launching a three-run homer to deep right field, giving Mt. Saint Mary's an early 3-0 lead. 

Mount Saint Mary's continued to pour it on in the second, plating five more runs. RBIs from Grube, Fredo, and Mateo Zeppieri, along with runs scored on a wild pitch and a steal of home, quickly widened the gap. 

Leading off the top of the third, Chuck Tallman got things started for the Pios. After working a full count, he launched a solo home run to right field for his first collegiate homer and the Pioneers' first run as a member of the MAAC. 

The Mountaineers put runners on second and third to open the fourth inning. Trombley recorded the first out by striking out Rudisill, but Nolan Book followed with a fielder's choice to second, allowing a run to score and extending the lead to 9-1. Trombley responded, striking out Zeppieri looking to mitigate the damage. 

The Pioneers cut into the lead in the fifth, tacking on two. Gavin Donohue's second hit of the afternoon and sixth RBI of the season kickstarted the inning and brought home Peter Link. Donohue didn't have to wait long, as Dante D'Amore followed with an RBI single of his own. 

Chris Mazza entered in relief for Trombley in the fifth, but Mount Saint Mary's added five upon his entrance. They added another in the sixth with an additional home run and six runs in the seventh. 

Drew Martin connected for a two-run homer in the ninth for his first collegiate hit, adding two to the Pioneers' tally. 

The Pioneers continue their series against the Mountaineers tomorrow at 11 a.m. Elijah Foster is the projected starting pitcher.