WASHINGTON, DC (March 5, 2023) -- The King's College baseball team found their momentum in the right moments of the day as they swept the host Gallaudet by scores of 6-5 and 11-3 at Hoy Field in Washington, D.C. on Sunday afternoon. With the sweep, the Monarchs improve to 5-1 overall, while the Bison fall to 5-7.
 
Game 1 – W, 6-5 (8 Innings):
After a combined three hits in the first, King's (5-1) struck first in the opener, plating a run behind a two-out double from Gregory Ahlstrom and a Gallaudet (5-7) error to see the Monarchs go up, 1-0. Two more runs crossed in the third as Nick Ciszak was hit by a pitch and worked his way around to score on a balk. Another Bison error during Brandon Loner's at bat would allow Chase Yochem to cross safely as the King's lead increased to 3-0 after the top of the third.
 
The King's defense would remain strong through the first four while adding another tally in the fourth inning as Ahlstrom worked a one-out walk and crossed safely on a Gallaudet miscue as the Monarchs, while a leadoff triple from Ciszak in the first saw Zach Day drive in the fifth run for King's as their lead grew to 5-0.
 
The host Gallaudet rallied in the bottom of the inning, plating 5 runs on one hit to tie the game at 5-5. King's put runners on with a hit in each of the sixth and seventh innings, but would not be able to bring them in as the game headed to the bottom of the seventh still knotted at five runs each.
 
The Bison put a runner on with a one-out single and a hit by pitch and both advanced on a groundout to Day, but the Monarchs defense delivered with a groundout to Brennen Schneider at second to send the Washington, D.C. opener to extra innings.
 
King's had the momentum to start the eighth as Schneider reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a single from Ahlstrom. Another fielder's choice allowed Schneider to move on to third, and a failed pick off attempt at first allowed Schneider to score and put the Monarchs up, 6-5. The Monarchs defense shut the door on a comeback attempt as they retired all three batters in the inning to secure the 6-5 win in eight innings at Gallaudet on Sunday afternoon.
 
Ahlstrom led King's as he went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Ciszak posted a 2-for-3 effort with two runs. Will Hronich rounded out the top hitters for King's in the win as he went 2-for-4. Adin Hoderewski was strong in the start, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing four earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Josh Kilvitis came on to throw an impressive 3.2 innings to secure the win, giving up just one hit and no runs while fanning two.
 
Johnathan Guerrero led Gallaudet with a 3-for-4 effort, scoring once and driving in one, while Darren Drolsbaugh posted a triple and scored once. Drolsbaugh was also awarded the loss in relief, throwing the final 1.0 innings and giving up one run on two hits.
 
Game 2 – W, 11-3:
King's carried their momentum into the night cap as Michael Marmolejos drove in the first run on a double down the left field line in the top of the second. King's increased their lead to 2-0 in the fourth as Day led off with a double to left and advanced to third on an infield single from Loner. A walk from Justin Richards loaded the bases before Ahlstrom drove in a run on a fielder's choice.
 
The King's defense continued to have a strong showing, holding the Bison scoreless through the first four frames, but after King's added two more runs behind a homerun from Ciszak and a Bison error to go ahead 4-0.
 
The Bison found some rhythm in the bottom of the fifth, plating three runs on two hits to close within one, 4-3, but the Monarchs had an immediate response as they exploded for six runs five hits, including two doubles from Ahlstrom to push their advantage to 10-3.
 
The Monarchs retired all three batters faced in the bottom of the sixth before driving in one more run on a fielder's choice RBI from Day. After another three Bison batters were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh, King's secured the 11-3 win in the night cap to sweep Gallaudet at Hoy Field.
 
Ciszak went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Richards posted a 3-for-4 effort with two RBIs and a run. Yochem, Marmolejos, and Ahlstrom each tallied two hits, while Richards and Ahlstrom each drove in two. Additionally, Day posted two RBIs and two runs scored. Matt Masala went the distance in the complete game, allowing just one earned un on four hits with four strikeouts.
 
Brandon Drolsbaugh led the Bison with a 2-for-3 effort, tallying one run, while Jaylen Johnson drove in a team-high two runs. The Gallaudet starter in Eli Solomon was awarded the loss in 4.1 innings of action, allowing three earned runs on six hits.
 
--
 
King's will complete their trip as they return to The Ripken Experience in Aberdeen, Md. to face Rosemont. First pitch is set for a 12:00 p.m. start on Monday afternoon. The Monarchs will also take on five junior varsity contests, including a match up with Rosemont on Monday, a doubleheader with Lehigh Carbon on Tuesday, and a doubleheader with Frederick Community College on Wednesday.