The Muhlenberg baseball team split a pair of well-pitched games against Utica in its first two games in Florida.

The Mules won the opener, 2-1, behind the sensational pitching of junior Quinn Rovner. Utica scored three runs in the top of the seventh to capture the nightcap, 3-0.

In the first game, Rovner allowed only three hits and struck out a career-high eight in his first career complete game. His biggest strikeout ended the bottom of the fifth with the tying run on third and the Pioneers' No. 3 hitter at the plate. Rovner has won each of his first three starts this season, throwing at least six innings in each outing, striking out 20 in 19 innings and holding opponents to a .169 batting average.

Rovner (pictured above) faced the minimum six batters over the final two innings, with some help from his defense. In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore second baseman Jack Kent ranged far to his left to catch a pop fly, then threw to first base to complete a game-ending double play.

Muhlenberg pieced together one hit, a walk, a hit batter and three stolen bases to score its lone runs in the top of the third. Sophomore Jonathan Toth led off the inning with a long double to left, and only a strong breeze blowing in prevented him from tying a school record by homering in three consecutive games. After a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases, senior Ryan Hebert hit into a forceout to bring in the game's first run. Hebert then started the front end of a double steal, with junior Caleb Tereska stealing home on the back end.

The win gave the Mules their first 6-0 start since 1928.

The bats were stymied in the second game, however, with only four Mules reaching base - only one past first base.

Freshman Jayden Barroqueiro was the tough-luck loser in his second career start. He pitched into the seventh inning, allowing three hits and one earned run.