(box score)
Junior Dan Sieracki (Cherry Hill, NJ) and senior Tom DeAngelis (Pottstown, PA) combined for six hits, seven runs and seven RBI, lifting Widener to a 19-8 come-from-behind victory over Ursinus in Collegeville, PA.
After holding Widener scoreless in the top of the first, the hosts scored six runs in the bottom. The Bears loaded the bases with a leadoff single and two walks. Widener junior starting pitcher Jason Ferrie (Royersford, PA) looked as though he was going to get out of the jam, striking out the next two batters. But the next six Ursinus hitters all reached base, courtesy of two hits, three walks and an error, to drive in all six runs. Only three of the runs were earned. Senior Kevin Culbert (Brookhaven, PA) came on to strike out Josh Schnell to end the inning.
Both teams plated a run in the second inning, but Widener began to chip away at the deficit with three runs in the top of the third. Sieracki laced a one-out, RBI single to left, and sophomore Dennis Hocker (Coral Springs, FL) made it 7-3 with an RBI ground out. DeAngelis capped the inning with a two-out, RBI triple to right.
Ursinus extended its lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Pride came right back with three more in the top of the fifth to get to within 8-7. DeAngelis came through again with a two-run double in the inning, and junior Bill Hollingsworth (Drexel Hill, PA) recorded an RBI, infield single to make it a one-run game.
Widener really broke through in the seventh. The Pride sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning, scoring 10 runs on just four hits to take a 17-8 lead. Freshmen Michael Riverso (Philadelphia, PA) and Andrew Gehringer (Boyertown, PA) each had two-run doubles in the frame.
Gehringer added another RBI double in the ninth to go 2-for-2 off the bench.
Culbert (5-3) recorded the win, striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. Juniors Salvatore Spera (Norristown, PA) and Craig Ricks (Dallastown, PA) combined to strike out five batters over 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the Pride (21-12).
Danny Ludwig finished with two hits and two RBI for the Bears (10-18). Ralph Aurora and Lou Argentine also recorded two hits apiece.
Widener on Tuesday travels to Haverford, PA for a non-conference game with the Fords, beginning at 3:30 pm.
