Baseball Begins Battle for Third MAC Commonwealth Title on Thursday

Baseball | 5/3/2016 10:39:00 AM

CHESTER, Pa. (May 3, 2016) – After a strong regular season, the Widener University baseball team will look to capture its third Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth during this weekend's postseason tournament in York, Pa.

Widener has been a strong contender in the field and is looking to win its first title since the record-breaking 2014 campaign. The team earned the second seed and will play third-seeded Messiah on Thursday at PeoplesBank Park. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. The winner of the game will advance to play the winner of the Alvernia-Stevenson at 3 p.m. on Friday. Top-seeded Alvernia takes on fourth seeded Stevenson at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The winner of the double-elimination tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament.

Widener (21-16-1, MAC Commonwealth 14-7) has won five of the seven MAC Commonwealth baseball series contested this year. The Pride are led by pitcher Josh Lafferty (Pottstown, Pa.), who has a 7-2 record with a Middle Atlantic Conference best 1.90 earned run average in nine appearances. Widener also has lefty Kyle McKelvy (Collegeville, Pa.) who has a team-high 50 strike outs with a 7-1 record. Junior Nicholas Enos (Williamstown, N.J.) leads the Widener offense with a .366 batting average and 48 hits. Bob Barnett (Glenolden, Pa.), who has appeared in all but one game, enters the tournament with 47 hits and 29 runs batted in. Classmate Justin Healey (Ocean City, N.J.) has recorded a team-high 36 runs batted in and finishes the regular season with 45 hits for a .338 average.

Messiah (21-18, MAC Commonwealth 13-8) took the season series from the Blue and Gold this past weekend. The Falcons are led offensively by Joseph Saufley with a .388 batting average and a team best 52 hits. The senior is tied for the MAC Commonwealth lead with nine home runs and a team leading 35 runs scored. Steven Ridings leads the Messiah pitching staff with a 1.94 ERA and conference best 85 strikeouts in 74.1 innings on the mound.

Day passes to the games is set for $6 for adults, $3 for students and children under six-years-old are free. Long-sleeved championship t-shirts will also be on sale at the gate for $15 as well as short-sleeved ones for $12.

Anyone who is unable to make the trip can look at the tournament schedule below for following the games online.

Thurs., May 5	Fri., May 6	Sat., May 7
Game 1: #4 Stevenson vs. #1 Alvernia	Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2	Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Live Stats – 4 p.m.	Live Stats – 11 a.m.	Live Stats – 12 p.m.
Game 2: #3 Messiah vs. #2 Widener	Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2	Game 7: (if necessary)
Live Stats – 7 p.m.	Live Stats – 3 p.m.	Live Stats – 3 p.m.
	Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4
	Live Stats – 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Bob Barnett: OF; 5' 9"; Junior

#16 Nick Enos: SS; 5' 9"; Junior

#8 Justin Healey: 2B; 5' 11"; Junior

#23 Josh Lafferty: P; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#28 Kyle McKelvy: P; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Bob Barnett
: 5' 9"; Junior
: OF

#16 Nick Enos
: 5' 9"; Junior
: SS

#8 Justin Healey
: 5' 11"; Junior
: 2B

#23 Josh Lafferty
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: P

#28 Kyle McKelvy
: 6' 2"; Junior
: P