Baseball Leaves Messiah With 4-2 Loss

(box score)

Widener's two-run lead evaporated during a four-run sixth inning as it was handed a 4-2 Commonwealth Conference loss at Messiah in Grantham, PA.

Widener in the top of the first inning grabbed a 1-0 lead when Dan Sieracki (Cherry Hill, NJ) lined an RBI single to score fellow senior Sean Saverio (Horsham, PA) The margin grew to 2-0 in the fifth when junior Matt Hone (Newtown, PA) ripped a double to left field that plated junior Dennis Hocker (Coral Springs, FL).

But on this Friday the 13th, things turned frightful with the Pride surrendering four unearned runs for the final. Ryan Brown hit a grounder that was misplayed by Hocker at third base and plated two runs for a 2-2 tie. Paul Mellinger and Wes Hollenbach then followed with consecutive doubles for a 4-2 contest.

The Pride had a golden opportunity in the seventh after loading the bases with two outs, but sophomore Sam Christie (Upper Darby, PA) struck out swinging to end the threat.

Royersford, PA senior Jason Ferrie (3-2) was saddled with a tough loss, yielding no earned runs and six hits over 6 2/3 innings for the Pride. Hocker finished with two of the Pride's five hits.

Jon Lapp struck out six for Messiah (9-19, 3-7 CC) over eight innings, permitting two runs and five hits. Zach Adams tossed a hitless ninth for the save with Mellinger, Hollenbach and Sam Tajiri each collecting two hits.

Widener (18-13, 7-6) falls into a third-place tie with Lebanon Valley in the conference.

The Pride and the Falcons will play a doubleheader Saturday in Chester, starting at noon.

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