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3/28/08 -- Widener's late comeback fell short in its Commonwealth Conference opener, dropping a 10-7 decision to Elizabethtown that ended the home team's 12-game winning streak.

The Blue Jays (10-6, 1-0 CC) scored four times in the fifth inning for a 4-2 lead, sparked by a two-run single from Jared Auman. The margin grew to 7-2 in the sixth thanks to a run-scoring triple from Rodney Francis and Auman's RBI single.

Eric Luff roped a two-run triple in the seventh inning and Francis lined an RBI single for a 10-2 contest.

Widener (15-3, 0-1) would not go away, scoring three runs in the eighth for a 10-5 game. Freshman Tom DeAngelis (Pottstown, PA) crossed home on a wild pitch and senior Matt Fischer (Bensalem, PA) cracked a two-run homer that chased starter Sam Heaps.

It was Fischer team-leading fifth long ball of the season, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games. He is batting .474 during that span (18-for-38) with 22 RBI.

The Pride scored twice in the ninth on RBI hits by junior Mike Cahill (Spring Lake, NJ) and freshman Tom Mahoney (Norristown, PA). But closer Chris Minakowski was called on to face DeAngelis, who popped up to second base for the final out.

Heaps (3-1) gave up five runs – three earned – and six hits over 7 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. Minakowski notched his second save and Auman closed with three hits.

Quakertown, PA junior Ryan Walter (4-1) allowed seven runs – five earned – six hits and seven walks over 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts for the Pride. Fischer ended with three RBI for his team-leading ninth multi-RBI game.

DeAngelis collected two hits and is batting .439 (29-for-66) during a team-season-high 15 game-hitting streak with 10 RBI. Mahoney also ended with two hits.

Widener suffered its first loss since March 3, a 5-3 setback against Tri-State in St. Petersburg, FL.

These teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday in Elizabethtown, beginning at 12:00 noon.