CHESTER, Pa. – The Pride were unable to claim either game in their doubleheader versus the Messiah University Falcons on Sunday afternoon. The Falcons won 7-2 in the first game and 5-4 in the second game.

The Pride are 8-13 in the regular season. They are 3-6 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST MESSIAH

Game 1

Ryan Bauerle and Anthony Boccio had Widener's two runs. Kyle Brex and Justin Costanzo each had two hits. Hayden O'Neill went five innings on the mound, allowing seven hits and three runs.

Widener's defense began their day with a quick top of the first before getting their turn on offense. A Costanzo RBI single gave the Pride the lead. However, a double play by the Falcons two batters later ended the inning. Although the Pride gave up a single in the top of the second, O'Neill struck out three consecutive batters to prevent the runner from advancing. Messiah could not find a rhythm in the third inning, but Widener had a chance to score in the bottom of the third. That is, until the Falcons caught a runner stealing second to end the inning. Widener led 1-0 after three.

The Pride's fourth inning was a good one on both sides of the ball. A double play handed them two of the three outs on defense. On offense, Boccio scored on a Messiah error. Pitcher Nathan Stein of the Falcons committed two balks in the same inning, thereby giving Boccio the chance to score. The bottom of the fifth saw the Pride with two men on base, but they were not able to bring anybody home. It was in the final two innings, though, that the Falcons' offense took charge. Messiah collected five runs in the sixth. Two RBI singles and a Widener error were enough to give the Falcons five runs. In the seventh, they earned RBIs on a walk and a fielder's choice. While the Pride had a runner on first base in the bottom of the seventh, they were not able to slice into the deficit. The final score was Messiah 7-2.

Game 2

There was a four-way tie for Widener players who got a hit in game two: Boccio, Andrew Yates, Bryce Fremgen, and Nick Barenz. Fremgen led the way with two hits. Widener's pitchers allowed 11 hits, but they struck out six batters.

The two sides were aggressive early, as each exchanged a run in the first inning. The Falcons earned theirs on an RBI single; Costanzo grounded out to shortstop for Boccio to score. Messiah and Widener each left two runners on base in the second inning. Interestingly, the Pride had two men on base without getting a hit. Brex got on base in the bottom of the third from a Messiah error. Despite this, the Falcons ended the inning by picking off Brex at first base. The score was tied 1-1 through three.

The Pride answered in the fourth inning with a run. A Fremgen single brought in Yates to make the score 2-1. Although the Pride loaded the bases soon after, a flyout was the last out of the inning. The Falcons once again used the back half of the game to make their move. Three runs by Messiah in the fifth put them up 4-2. An RBI double, a runner stealing home, and a home run were the causes of the runs. Widener proceeded to tie things up in the bottom of the sixth. Aaron Nuble's single turned into an RBI. Barenz tripled a few batters later, and a Messiah error brought him home once Boccio went to bat. Each side had four total runs. The Falcons, though, put the game away in the top of the seventh. With two men on base, Messiah's Isaiah Parido smacked an RBI. The Pride could not get anyone on base to round out the inning. Messiah had won 5-4. The Falcons took both games in the doubleheader.

UP NEXT
The Pride will host another MAC opponent, the Eastern University Eagles, on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.