(box score)
Widener let many chances slip away and, despite a great pitching effort from junior Jason Ferrie (Royersford, PA), was dealt a 3-1 Commonwealth Conference loss by Messiah.
Messiah struck first in the top of the inning when John Brubaker had his grounder thrown away by senior third baseman Jason Brooke (Collegeville, PA) allowing Sean Hart to score.
Widener tied it in the fourth. Brooke led off with an infield single and scored when sophomore Max McCarthy (Deptford, NJ) lined one to deep center field for a double and a 1-1 tie.
The Falcons grabbed a 2-1 lead in the fifth as Ryan Brown drove home Brubaker on an infield single. The margin grew to 3-1 in the seventh when Wes Hollenbach singled through the right side to plate Paul Mellinger.
The Pride were done in by leaving 11 runners on base, including two apiece in the first, third, fourth and ninth innings. Widener got the first two runners on in the ninth before senior Tom DeAngelis (Pottstown, PA) fouled out on a bunt, freshman Andrew Gehringer (Boyertown, PA) struck out and junior Sean Saverio (Horsham, PA) grounded out.
Ferrie (3-3) was not to blame for the loss, but had to endure it despite striking out six and allowing three runs – two earned – and seven hits over eight innings. Brook, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games, and McCarthy had two hits apiece.
Jon Lapp (3-1) gave up one run and six hits over 6 1/3 innings with three strikeouts for Messiah. Josh Hershberger got his first save after pitching one inning and Hollenbach rapped three hits.
Messiah (15-13, 9-1 CC) moves two games ahead of Widener (19-7, 7-3) for second place in the conference. The teams close their three-game series Saturday with a doubleheader in Grantham, PA that starts at noon.
