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Baseball Splits Doubleheader With Lebanon Valley

(Game 1) / (Game 2)
Widener lost game one in eight innings 5-2, but came back with loaded bats to win game two 14-1 and secure a split in today's Commonwealth Conference doubleheader against Lebanon Valley.
 
Senior Rick Kazigian (West Chester, PA) pitched six innings in game two and faced 24 batters for his third win of the season. He only allowed one run, which was unearned, and held the Dutchmen to five hits with six strikeouts and no walks.
 
Widener scored three runs right out of the gate in game two. Eric Von Stetina (Collegeville, PA) was put on base after being hit by pitcher Mike Specht (0-1) and moved over to third after a pick-off attempt by catcher Jordan Higgins flew high. Dan Sieracki (Cherry Hill, NJ) reached on a walk and moved two bases on a pair of wild pitches, with Von Stetina scoring on the first. Bill Hollingsworth (Drexel Hill, PA) also walked, scoring on a right field single hit by third baseman Dennis Hocker (Coral Spring, FL).
 
Hollingsworth, who in game one extended his hitting streak to 17 games, did not have an official at-bat in game two. In four plate appearances, he was hit twice and walked twice, which leaves his streak unaffected. Out of the four times Hollingsworth was put on base, he scored three times.
 
In the second inning the Pride batted around the order and had five men cross home plate, making the score 8-0. The fourth inning brought a new pitcher for the Dutchmen in Brent McDowell as well as six more runs for Widener.
 
Lebanon Valley's only run of the game came in the third inning, when shortstop and lead-off batter Phillip Dohner hit a double down the left field line. He moved over to third on a wild pitch by Kazigian (3-1) and scored on an error by Hocker.
 
Sean Saverio (Horsham, PA) went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Sieracki had two hits in three at bats with two runs and an RBI. Hocker finished 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI. Sophomore Nick Cook (Cranford, NJ) had three RBI, scored once and hit 2-for-3.
 
Widener in game one lost in extra innings. Widener's first scoring chance came in the first inning when lead-off batter Von Stetina reached first after being hit by a pitch from Dutchmen pitcher Derek Brousseau. Saverio hit his seventh double of the season to left field and Von Stetina was waved home, but Lebanon Valley (9-9, 3-3 CC) relayed the ball perfectly from left field in time to keep him from scoring.
 
A double steal in the third inning gave the Pride (12-6, 4-2) a 1-0 lead. Brendan O'Brien (Coatesville, PA) walked and was hit over to second on a single to center by Von Stetina. A failed double play attempt retired Von Stetina at second, but left runners at first and third with two outs. Just before the last out of the inning, Widener pulled a double steal—a move that gave them a win against Lebanon Valley on Friday afternoon. Saverio stole second, and when the ball was cut off the Dutchmen were unable to complete the play and O'Brien was safe stealing home.
 
In the top of the fourth inning, Jordan Witner hit a single to centerfield and scored on an RBI single through the right side by pitcher Brousseau, tying the game 1-1.
 
Hollingsworth, in the flip-side of the fourth, doubled on a ball that hit off of the Blue Monster in left field. He moved to third on a single to center and scored easily on another failed double play attempt, with Michael Riverso (Philadelphia, PA) receiving the RBI and lifting Widener 2-1.
 
The score stood still until the top of the seventh when Lebanon Valley evened the score again. A lead-off walk by batter Tom Rasich turned into a run, as he was moved to third on a right-center single. A failed double play attempt, due to a controversial umpire decision, by the Pride allowed Rasich's pinch runner Kyle Wenger to score and tie the game. Widener had a chance to win the game with Colin Weiss pinch running at third and O'Brien up to bat. Coach LaRosa called for a suicide squeeze play to score Weiss, but the bunt was popped up to pitcher Brousseau who threw to third for the double play.
 
A string of doubles in the top of the eighth allowed Lebanon Valley to gain three runs. The Pride had their chance to come back with the top of the order up, but were retired in order.
 
Joe Sessa (Broomall, PA) got the start for the Pride and pitched 6 1/3 innings. He faced 28 batters, allowed just five hits and two runs, one of which was unearned.
 
Widener returns to the diamond Sunday as it hosts Utica in a doubleheader beginning at noon.
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