By Seth Wesman
Sports Information Intern

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Goshen College baseball team kicked off its season with a doubleheader against the University of Pikeville on Saturday afternoon, falling by scores of 5-1 and 10-1 at Johnnie LeMaster Field.

The Maple Leafs (0-2) struck first in the opening game when Vincent Caschera's RBI single brought Brad Stoltzfus in for Goshen's first run of the year. Pikeville (5-4) responded by plating 3 runs in the second to grab a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Bears added 4 runs in the third and 3 more over the fifth and sixth innings to claim the win.

Blake Collins got the start for Goshen before relief appearances from Anthony Todaro, Colton Daniel and Brandon Vires, who each worked an inning as two of the three made their collegiate debuts. Stoltzfus, Caschera and Preston Carr each recorded one of the Maple Leafs' 3 hits.

Dalton Dahley started for Pikeville and gave up 1 run on 3 hits with 6 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work before Bruce Bell finished the game with 4 strikeouts in the final inning and a third. The Bears got offensive production from a host of players, with Alec Barba leading the way with 3 RBIs and a run scored. Matt Peterson, Jay Vincent and Jorge Perez each drove in a pair of runs.

The afternoon's second game got off to a slower start than the first, with neither team scoring until the Bears broke through for a pair of runs in the fourth. Goshen responded with a run of their own in the top of the fifth, when Carr tripled home Cody McCoy, but Pikeville put the game out of reach with a run in the bottom of the inning and two more in the sixth.

Braedon Evans got the start on the hill for the Maple Leafs and pitched a six-inning complete game in his collegiate debut. Despite giving up five runs, only three were earned with the other two resulting from a pair of Leaf errors. Evans struck out 4 Bears while not surrendering any free passes.

Carr and Clinton Stroble II each had 2 hits with Caschera and Ryan Hartig chipping in one apiece. The triple was the fourth of Carr's career, moving him into a tie for eighth on the all-time Maple Leaf list, but was GC's only extra-base hit of the afternoon.

Aaron Hedgecock worked 5 2/3 innings and surrendered 1 run on 6 hits for Pikeville while striking out 5 Maple Leafs. A.J. Carkner came on to get four outs for the save and stuck out 3.

Daniel Sterenberg drove in a team-high 2 runs for the Bears with Travis Haen, Matt Peterson and Jay Vincent each contributing an RBI apiece. Peterson also scored a pair of runs on a perfect 3 for 3 performance at the plate.

Goshen visits Pikeville again Sunday afternoon for another doubleheader as the Leafs look to crack the win column for the first time in the young season. First pitch in the opening game is again scheduled for noon.