(Game 1) / (Game 2)
Junior Tom DeAngelis (Pottstown, PA) went 5-for-5 in game two, including a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning en route to a 15-9 Commonwealth Conference win over Messiah that preceded a 6-4 triumph in Chester, PA.
Widener got off on the right foot in the game one, jumping to a 4-0 lead. Five consecutive singles from the two through six hitters in the lineup highlighted the frame and the first four to reach base all scored.
In the second inning, Wes Hollenbach drove in Jordan Zimmerman on a double to left-center field to cut the lead to 4-1. Messiah tied it in the fourth with three runs on a throwing error.
The Pride (6-3, 2-0 CC) came back and scored two in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-4 lead. Junior Alex Oliver (Lebanon, NJ) doubled to center to drive in DeAngelis and then scored on a throwing error following a single by sophomore Sean Saverio (Horsham, PA).
Rick Kazigian (West Chester, PA) relieved starter and fellow sophomore Jason Ferrie (Royersford, PA) in the sixth, pitching two scoreless innings for a save. Ferrie (1-1) recorded the win by striking out eight, one shy of his career high, over five innings.
Oliver, Saverio and sophomore Dan Sieracki (Cherry Hill, NJ) each rapped three hits.
Things looked bleak for Widener in the second game after falling behind 7-2 in the top of the second. The Pride chipped away from there, scoring two in the third and two in the fifth to cut the deficit to 7-6. That set the stage for DeAngelis' long ball to left that also scored senior Mike Villari (Holland, PA), who walked, to give Widener an 8-7 lead. The Pride scored nine in the inning and sent 15 batters to the plate to go up 15-7.
Broomall, PA sophomore Joe Sessa (1-0) recorded the win, going 4 2/3 innings in relief after entering the game with one out in the top of the second. He allowed just two runs, only one of which was earned.
DeAngelis also ended the nightcap with four RBI and four runs scored. Oliver went 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored.
Sheldon Witmer shined for the Falcons (6-6, 0-2) collecting four hits with three RBI and two runs scored in the doubleheader.
Widener on Wednesday hosts Swarthmore at 3:00 pm as part of the “320 Challenge.” The Pride hold an 8-5 lead in the inaugural challenge.
