WILKES-BARRE, Pa.—The Hobart baseball team had an impressive showing on Saturday, first shutting out Elmira 14-0 in seven innings, and then narrowly defeating Wilkes 6–5 in a dramatic night game at Bruggeworth Field.

HOBART TOP PERFORMERS  

• Jack Farnen: 5 hits, triple, 4 runs, 4 RBIs  
• Jack O'Neil: 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, SB
• Aidan Davenport: 4 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 SB
• Aaron Forgues: 5 IP, 4 strikeouts, 0 runs, win  
• Teck Nash: 5 IP, 6 Ks, 5 hits, 4 runs  
• Max Friedlander: 1 IP, 3 strikeouts, 0 hits, save

GAME 1: Hobart 14, Elmira 0

Hobart delivered a commanding performance against Elmira, highlighted by an explosive nine-run sixth inning that broke open the game. Leading 4-0, the team strung together a series of productive at-bats, starting with Farnen's walk and Cole Conte's RBI double. A series of walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, leading to multiple scoring opportunities. O'Neil and Sean Garvin contributed with RBI singles, while Will Jones and Davenport capitalized on bases-loaded walks. Pinto added a sacrifice fly, and Farnen capped the rally with a two-run single, putting the Statesmen up 13-0.

The early innings set the tone, beginning with a two-run first inning fueled by a walk from Christian Petry, followed by a single from O'Neil and sacrifice flies from Garvin and Jones. Hobart continued its offensive pressure with Farnen's leadoff triple in the second, leading to another run thanks to Conte's groundout. Key defensive plays, including a double play in the first and a pickoff in the second, stifled Elmira's chances to build any momentum. Hobart's offense maintained its momentum in the seventh with Pinto's sacrifice fly.

GAME 2: Hobart 6, Wilkes 5

In their matchup against the host Colonels, Hobart's offense was highlighted by a five-run second inning that set the stage for their victory. Aidan Davenport's double opened the inning, followed by a throwing error that allowed him to score. Farnen's RBI single plated two more runs, and O'Neil capped the rally with a two-run single, providing an early 5-0 lead. 

The Colonels (16-11) chipped away at Hobart's advantage and made things interesting in the eighth. Wilkes cut Hobart's lead to one with an RBI double by Jake Miller. In the ninth inning, Garvin extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a one-out double, but the Colonels escaped the inning unscathed. Senior Max Friedlander nailed down his fourth save of the season in the ninth, striking out three without allowing a hit, preserving the Statesmen's hard-fought win. 

COACH'S CORNER

"That was a gritty, hard-fought win. Wilkes is a great program and a very good team we just beat. The game had a playoff feel. I'm proud and happy for the guys." -- Hobart Head Coach Brad Cook

ON DECK

Hobart (22-7) will travel to face Keuka at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 in Keuka Park, New York.