The Shippensburg University baseball team took an early three-run lead Tuesday, but could not defend the lead in an 8-5 loss to Pitt-Johnstown in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover matchup from Point Stadium in Johnstown.
 
SU (3-9) jumped out to a quick lead as senior Ryan McMillen singled to lead off the game and junior Grant Hoover doubled to put runners on second and third. Senior Jake Kennedy then drove in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to left field.
 
McMillen started another SU rally in the third inning as he doubled and scored on an RBI single by Hoover. Later in the frame, Kennedy drove home Hoover with a double down the left field line that gave SU a 3-0 lead in the top of the third.
 
However, the Mountain Cats (10-10) were able to tie the game in the bottom of the third against SU starter Jacob Menders with a bases-loaded double to right-center field.
 
The Raiders retook the lead in the fourth inning when sophomore Cash Gladfelter got creative and laid down a bunt single with two outs to score junior Nick Spangler from third. Spangler had singled earlier in the inning, stole second and advanced to third on a fly out.
 
That score held until the bottom of the sixth inning when UPJ's Joe Gagliardi hit a two-run homer off Menders to make it a one-run UPJ lead. The Mountain Cats added two more runs later in the inning before Menders could work out of the frame. In his first career start, Menders struck out six batters and walked just one in six innings of work. Freshman Kyle Lysy tossed two innings in relief, allowing a run on two hits.
 
The Raiders came within two runs in the seventh inning when Spangler doubled home sophomore Drew Bene. Spangler finished 2-for-5 with an RBI. Hoover and sophomore Jack Goertzen both added two hits as well.
 
McMillen finished 4-for-5 on the day with two runs scored. He's now hitting .415 on the young season.
 
The Raiders are back in action tomorrow when they host Chestnut Hill for a doubleheader from Fairchild Field beginning at 3 p.m.