GOSHEN, Ind. - The baseball team lost two narrow games against MVNU on Saturday afternoon, as the Cougars won game one 14-11 and game two 8-7. Nine Goshen seniors were recognized between games - Jeffrey Butler, Connor Daniel, Andres Garcia, David Lopez, Ryan Maloney, Jenner Rodammer, Peyton Smith, Kolton Stevens and Benjamin Witterstaetter.

Game One
The Cougars jumped to a 6-0 lead after the second inning, and Goshen never fully came back to tie it despite multiple strong comeback efforts. In the fourth, Andres Garcia hit an RBI double, and Jenner Rodammer launched a three-run shot to left field, making it 6-4. MVNU scored six runs over the next three innings, and Goshen had just one from a sac fly by Garcia.

Down 12-5 in the eighth, the Maple Leafs made a late push with a six-run inning. The Cougars committed three errors in the inning, and all six runs were unearned. Trent Sillett and Ryan Maloney had RBI doubles, with Maloney clearing the bases to bring three runs home and make it 12-11. Mount Vernon scored a couple more in the ninth, but Goshen didn't have an answer in the bottom of the inning.

Goshen had nine walks and three players hit by pitches. The team's eight hits came from eight different players. Rodammer and Maloney had three RBIs, and Garcia and Nathan Pinedo had two each. After Saturday's games, Pinedo has six RBI this season. All six came over the last two days against the Cougars, and he had at least one in all four games. Chris Godden scored three of Goshen's runs. Baylor Orcutt lost as the starter, but Benjamin Witterstaetter struck out four and allowed two earned runs in 3.1 innings of relief.

Game Two
The teams switched leads in the second game, but Mount Vernon held Goshen scoreless over the last three innings to win by one.

Down 1-0 in the first, Andres Garcia scored Goshen's first run on a wild pitch. Nathan Pinedo had his fifth and sixth RBIs of the series later in the inning to bring the lead to 3-1. The Cougars proceeded to score in the second, third and fourth innings and led 6-3.

The Leafs had another big inning in the bottom of the fourth with RBI singles off the bats of Jenner Rodammer and Trent Sillett. Joseph Cerda hit a triple that scored two runs, his first triple since April 20, 2022, at Siena Heights. Goshen held a 7-6 lead at this point, but it didn't stay around for long. Zachary Hoop scored on a wild pitch in the next half-inning to tie the game, and Rider Minnick's RBI single gave them the lead. GC had just one hit in the next three innings and lost 8-7.

Jenner Rodammer, Joseph Cerda, Trent Sillett and Curtis Huffman had multiple hits in the game. Connor Daniel lost, allowing two earned runs in the last 2.2 innings. David Lopez allowed two earned runs in 4.1 innings as the starting pitcher.

Goshen's last regular season series is at Taylor, and it begins Thursday, April 25, at 3:00 pm.

Here is what was said about the six Goshen seniors for Senior Day:
Fans, we would now like to recognize our 2024 baseball seniors.

Today we are joined by head coach Brad Stoltzfus and assistant coaches Justin Grubbs, Michael Walker, James Stricker and Gabe Kermode.

The seniors being recognized today have demonstrated full lives of faith, unity, learning, and leadership during their time as Goshen College student-athletes. Their legacies are cemented into the history of Goshen College and they will forever be Maple Leafs.

First to be recognized is #13, Jeffrey Butler! Jeff is being escorted by his cousin PJ and PJ's son Bo. He is a business major and will be going into the police academy after graduation. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Jeff stands out for his willingness to help where and when needed, his character and sense of humor. He will continue to make an impact on those around him after he graduates." Thank you, Jeff!

Next us is #9, Connor Daniel! Connor is escorted by his brother Colton Daniel and former Goshen teammates Gage Andrews and Gabe Kermode. He is a business major with a criminal justice minor and plans to get his MBA degree and then start working. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Connor is a team leader whose care for the game and his teammates always stood out. He has a bright future ahead of him and will continue to make his family proud." Thank you, Connor!

Next, we have #31, Andres Garcia! Andres is being escorted by teammate, golf partner, and the big 45, Aaron Shircliff. Andres is a business major and wants to become a chiropractor and open a practice. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Andres is a team leader and always brings good energy to the people around him. He plays hard all the time and will succeed in whatever he pursues when he graduates." Thank you, Andres!
 
Next up is #34, David Lopez! David is being escorted by his parents Damian and Claudia Lopez and his brother and teammate Steven Lopez. David is a sports management major with minors in business and entrepreneurship. After college, he plans to do private baseball training for youth players. Coach Stoltzfus says, "David is one of the hardest workers on the team and his passion for the game stands out. His knowledge of the game will never be forgotten and his future is bright." Thank you, David!
 
Next we have #23, Ryan Maloney! Ryan is escorted by his parents Colm and Debbie Maloney. He is an accounting major with a business minor and wants to pass the CPA exam and work in public accounting upon graduation. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Ryan is a high-class individual who puts others before himself. He is the definition of a team player and will make an impact in the business world." Thank you, Ryan!
 
Coming up next is #28, Jenner Rodammer! Jenner is being escorted by his parents Matt and Tammi Rodammer and his wife Kylie Rodammer. He is a social work major and Spanish minor and plans to get his masters in social work through the University of Kentucky starting in the fall. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Jenner is a genuine person whose work ethic stood out in his career. He is a smart player and will continue to impact others in his future." Thank you, Jenner!

Next is #14, Peyton Smith! Peyton is escorted by his dad Jeremy Smith and his mom Sarah Swift. He is a computer science major and wants to work in computer science while teaching the next generation of baseball players after leaving Goshen College. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Peyton is a hard worker whose care for the game is always evident. He will work hard at his job when he graduates and will make an impact on others around him in the future." Thank you, Peyton!

Coming through next is #8, Kolton Stevens! Kolton is being escorted by his parents Kenny and Kim Stevens. He is an environmental science major focusing on ecology. He plans on doing environmental consulting and beginning his career at Alt & Witzig Consulting in Indianapolis. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Kolton is a team player and his willingness to help the team in any way possible always stood out. His work ethic will translate well in his future endeavors." Thank you, Kolton!

Last but not least is Ben Witterstaetter! After Goshen, he plans to move back to Texas and spend time with family. Coach Stoltzfus says, "Ben is a reliable person whose effort stood out in his career. He was always ready at a moment's notice, worked hard and has always cared about his teammates and the people around him." Thank you, Ben!

Fans, please help me give a round of applause to your 2024 baseball seniors!