Baseball: Nationally Ranked Raiders Finish Strong in Comeback Win at La Roche

4/23/2025 | Baseball | Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The nationally ranked Mount Union baseball team (23-7) won a non-conference game against La Roche University (10-23) on the road on Wednesday. The Purple Raiders have won 19 out of their last 20 games.

Graduate right-handed pitcher Jaired Lehman (Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway) started the game for the Purple Raiders, pitching 0.2 innings and recording two strikeouts while allowing two earned runs. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Christopher Maurer (Hudson, Ohio / Hudson) earned his second win of the season, delivering a strong performance with 6.1 innings pitched, six strikeouts, and only two earned runs allowed.

Mount Union kicked off the scoring in the first inning, tallying four runs, including a three-run home run by junior outfielder Chris Tsouras (Las Vegas, Nev. / Arbor). On the day, Tsouras had an impressive performance, going 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs. His homer was his ninth of the season, and he leads the team with a total of 44 RBIs.

La Roche scored seven unanswered runs from the bottom of the first inning through the bottom of the fourth. However, trailing 7-4, the Purple Raiders faced adversity and responded just as they have throughout the season. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Lehman hit a powerful solo home run, marking his third of the season. He finished the game with a 2-for-4 performance, earning two RBIs and a walk. Lehman continued his strong game by hitting an RBI double in the seventh inning.

Sophomore outfielder Luke Ickes (Green, Ohio / Green) provided an offensive spark for Mount Union by hitting a two-RBI double to right center field. Senior first baseman Johnny Costella (Cleveland, Ohio / Trinity) also contributed with an RBI double, while senior third baseman Chris Viamonte (Naples, FL. / Coral Gables) hit a two-RBI double to conclude the inning. In the eighth inning, the Purple Raiders continued their offensive surge, as Ickes and Viamonte both drew walks with RBI, along with senior shortstop Alex Stegman (Berea, Ohio / Berea-Midpark) and graduate second baseman Andrew Witte (Mentor, Ohio / Mentor), who also recorded RBI walks.

Senior right-handed pitcher Chris Phillips (Elyria, Ohio / Elyria Catholic) pitched 1.2 innings, recording his 21st strikeout of the season and lowering his ERA to 2.15. Junior right-handed pitcher Anthony Warner (Louisville, Ohio / Louisville) finished the game, pitching 0.1 innings and securing the 15-7 win for the Purple Raiders.

Mount Union's next game is on Saturday, away at Ohio Northern. Game one's first pitch is set for 1:00 PM, with game two to follow shortly after.