TOCCOA FALLS, Ga. – The Maple Leafs baseball team has already matched its win total from last season after going 1-1 today against Toccoa Falls. In game one, Goshen had a four-run seventh inning to win 6-3 before a 14-3 defeat in the second game.
 
Kyle Staelgraeve got the start for Goshen in game one and pitched three innings – allowing one earned run on three hits. The early offense for the Leafs came from two Camm Nickell doubles. His double in the first scored Jenner Rodammer, and his double in the third brought home Trent Sillett.
 
The Screaming Eagles scored one run in the first, fourth, and fifth innings. Heading into the seventh, Goshen trailed 3-2 and hadn't scored since the third.  However, Nate Lange walked and got over to third before a single by Char Reeves brought him around the bases. Reeves scored from a double by Rodammer, and Rodammer scored on a double by Sillett. Sillett would score an unearned run due to an error by the shortstop, and by then, Goshen led 6-3. Benjamin Witterstaetter gave up no runs in the bottom of the seventh and earned the save. After going one and a third innings, Gabe Kermode picks up the win without giving up any runs or hits.
 
"It was great to see our guys battle and come from behind in game one," said head coach Alex Childers. Goshen had five extra-base hits, while Toccoa Falls had none. Nickell was 2-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Sillett was 2-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Rodammer was 2-4 with a single, a double, an RBI, and two runs scored.
 
Goshen has already matched their win total from a season ago with the win.
 
While the Screaming Eagles managed just five hits in game one, they had 13 in game two. GC was on the board first when Joseph Cerda's single scored Justin Harris and Rodammer. But Toccoa Falls scored four runs in the first, added four more in the second, and then scored six in the third. Goshen's last run came in the second from a Sillett single to left that brought in Rodammer. There would be no runs scored for either team in the final four innings despite the early offense. The bottom of the seventh didn't need to be played, and the Screaming Eagles won 14-3.
 
Peyton Smith was given the loss for Goshen, allowing six earned runs in an inning and a third. Dalton Soergel struck out four of the 13 batters he faced, and Kaleb Bodfish didn't allow any runs in his inning on the mound.
 
"We still need to learn to control our emotions and develop some maturity," said Childers. "We need to make adjustments quicker and keep emotions in check regardless of inning, score, or opponent."
 
"Overall, it was great to just get on the field and compete. Lots of guys got their first taste of college baseball this weekend, and we are excited for another chance this weekend coming up!"
 
Goshen's doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday, February 22, against Trinity Christian has been canceled. The next game will be Sunday, February 27, against Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky, at 1:00 pm EST. The Maple Leafs are 3-3 this season.