(box score)

Widener got off to a slow start and was dealt a 6-0 Commonwealth Conference loss at Messiah in Grantham, PA.

The Falcons (7-7, 1-2 CC) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning for a 3-0 lead.  Sheldon Witmer lined a two-run single and Paul Mellinger added a sacrifice fly.

It was all downhill from there for the Pride (6-5, 2-1), who managed just three singles for only their third loss in the last eight games.

Sophomore Dan Sieracki (Cherry Hill, NJ) singled to extend his hitting streak to a career-best nine games and freshman Max McCarthy (Deptford, NJ) also singled for an eight-game run.

Brookhaven, PA junior Kevin Culbert (1-1) was tagged for five runs and six hits over five innings with four strikeouts for Widener.

Thor Arnesen (2-0) yielded just three hits over eight innings with five strikeouts for Messiah.  Sam Tajiri had three hits, Adam Ranck contributed two and Mellinger drove home three runs.

Widener on Friday hosts reigning Freedom Conference champion Alvernia in what is now an intraleague game.  First pitch is at 3:30 pm.