(boxscore)
Sophomore Tom DeAngelis (Pottstown, PA) lined a two-out, game-winning single in the bottom of the 12th inning that put Widener past Messiah, 11-10, and into the Commonwealth Conference Tournament a fifth straight year.
In a game that had every twist and turn possible, Widener secured a spot in the four-team, double-elimination tournament that runs from next Thursday through Saturday in West Lawn, PA.
Widener (17-14-1, 7-6 CC) looked in great shape with a 6-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning with two outs and no runners on. But the Falcons (13-21-1, 5-8) strung together walks and hits that led to Sheldon Witmer roping an RBI double and Jordan Zimmerman getting a two-run single to tie the game.
Messiah in the top of the 10th received a solo home run from John Brubaker and a sacrifice fly from Sam Tajiri for an 8-6 lead. But Widener unbelievably tied it in the bottom of the frame, getting a two-out, two-run single from freshman Dan Sieracki (Cherry Hill, NJ) for an 8-8 game.
The Falcons in the 11th again plated two runs for a 10-8 cushion. Witmer homered and Ben Kirk scored when Zimmerman's grounder was booted by sophomore shortstop Tom Mahoney (Norristown, PA).
Mahoney made up for his miscue in the bottom of the 11th, smashing a solo homer for a 10-9 contest. DeAngelis doubled and scored on an RBI single by sophomore Alex Oliver (Lebanon, NJ) for a 10-10 deadlock.
Widener finally won it in the 12th. Sophomore Josiah Fischer (Nazareth, PA) hit an infield single and took second on Mahoney's two-out single. With sunset looming in the 3-hour, 53-minute marathon, DeAngelis came through on a single to right-center field for his career-best and team-season-high fifth hit of the game.
DeAngelis fell a home run short of the cycle, Oliver rapped four hits and sophomore Jason Brooke (Collegeville, PA) homered to go with his three hits for the Pride. Waldwick, NJ sophomore Rich Brovero (1-0) allowed two runs – one earned – and two hits over two innings for the Pride.
Witmer gave up a run and three hits over 2/3 of an inning for the Falcons. Zimmerman ended with three hits and four RBI.
These teams finish conference play Saturday with a doubleheader in Grantham, PA, beginning at noon.
