Butler grad helps Seton Hill survive
Cody Herald’s homecoming had not been going well.
Until Friday.
The Butler graduate and Seton Hill senior right fielder went hitless in the Griffins’ first two games of the PSAC Tournament Wednesday and Thursday at Kelly Automotive Park.
His team split its first two games in the double-elimination tourney, but staved off elimination Friday with a 10-9 win over California (Pa.) and an 11-7 victory over East Stroudsburg.
Seton Hill (41-10) was scheduled to play East Stroudsburg (30-18) at 11 a.m. Saturday, the winner facing Millersville (40-16) for the league championship at 2 p.m.
Herald had four hits in the California game — including two doubles and a homer — and had three RBI. He delivered the game-winning hit, a run-scoring double in the top of the ninth against former Butler teammate Mick Fennell.
“That was weird,” Herald said. “Not so much facing Mick because we played Cal during the regular season, but facing him here, as an opponent, in this park.
“That was definitely different.”
Fennell pitched the final 1.1 innings in relief for the Vulcans (24-22) and took the loss. He tripled and singled in the game.
Herald added a single and sacrifice fly in the Griffins’ win over East Stroudsburg Friday night.
“Cody had such a great junior season with us that he came out this year and tried to do everything perfect,” Seton Hill coach Marc Marizzaldi said. “After the first two games here, I told him to just play. We recruited him because he’s such a fierce competitor.”
Herald began the day hitting .311 on the season.
“I just concentrated on hitting the ball hard ... wherever it landed, it landed,” Herald said.
Logan Urtz earned the save against East Stroudsburg. Seton Hill took an 8-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth before the Warriors scored four runs and loaded the bases with one out. Urtz struck out pinch-hitter Brett Bonn, walked in a run, then got Casey Saverio to fly out to left.
The Griffins scored three runs in the top of the ninth to put the game away.
Millersville eliminated Mercyhurst (34-8) earlier in the day in dramatic fashion. Trailing 6-3 entering the bottom of the ninth, Chas McCormick hit a two-run homer and Dan Stoltzfus followed with a solo shot to tie the game.
Millersville scored a run in the bottom of the 10th to win, 7-6.
Freeport graduate Ryan Siegel doubled for his lone hit in the game for the Lakers.
Through 12 tournament games thus far, the eight teams have combined to hit 38 home runs.
“I’ve never seen balls fly out of here like this before,” Herald said. “Never. The new (low seam) baseball has definitely added offense. But it’s taken something away from the game, too.”
