By Cody Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Chester, PA — It was not the performance Messiah had hoped for in its return to Pennsylvania.
Following a successful six-game stay in central Florida, the Falcons dropped their first two contests back in its home state, losing 4-6 and 9-15 decisions at Widener University (6-3) Saturday — the team's first Commonwealth Conference games of the young season.
The Falcons — who gave up 21 runs and 26 hits on the day — saw their record drop to an even 6-6 on the season.
“When you mix a couple of errors with giving up quite a few runs, you're not going to win too many games,” said Bryan Engle, Messiah head coach. “Offensively, I think we were good enough, but they were a bit better offensively, today. You have to give Widener credit, they swung the bats well. From a pitching standpoint, when a team is hitting well, you have to pound the strike zone better- both inside and out - throw strikes, and not give them any free bases.”
The day started inauspiciously for the Falcons, as Widener (6-3, 2-0) jumped on junior starter Travis Thome for four runs in the home half of the first inning. The runs, which came on five singles and two walks, provided an early deficit for Messiah (6-6, 0-2).
The Falcons battled back, however, putting up a run in the second inning and three in the fourth to tie the game.
Sophomore Wes Hollenbach — who leads all Falcon starters in batting average (.429) — doubled home senior Jordan Zimmerman in the second, plating Messiah's first score of the day. In the fourth, Hollenbach's walk to lead off the inning started a game-tying rally.
Following his free pass to first base, Hollenbach stole second with two outs. Senior Jon Shenk walked and sophomore Sam Tajiri walked to load the bases. Senior Adam Ranck then delivered a hot smash to the third baseman, who short-hopped his throw to first. This cleared the bases and tied the game at four runs apiece.
Sophomore Tory Arnesen drilled a shot to the outfield that looked like it would drop in and give the Falcons the lead. Unfortunately for Messiah, the ball was caught on the run by the Pride's Dan Sieracki, ending the inning and the scoring opportunity.
Widener answered right back with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, scoring what would prove to be the difference in the game.
Falcons' starter Thome (1-1) finished the game with four-plus innings pitched — 12 hits, and six runs allowed.
“I thought Travis's mechanics were on,” Engle said. “He was throwing strikes. (Widener) just swing the bat well. They're a solid offensive team.”
Senior Elliot Thomas pitched the final two innings in relief, allowing just a single hit and no runs.
Following the opening loss, Engle's club regrouped. Game Two appeared to be going Messiah's way right from the start.
After leaving two runners on in the top half of the first inning, the Falcons exploded for seven runs in their half of the second inning, putting a 7-2 lead on the board that seemed to be insurmountable.
Hollenbach again started the rally, singling down the right field line to lead off. Sophomore Ryan Brown bunted his way on base, putting two on for sophomore John Brubaker.
Brubaker — who uncorked a home run in last year's 11-12 loss to Widener — delivered a go-ahead three-run home run, giving the Falcons its first lead of the day.
Following Brubaker's dinger, Shenk doubled and Tajiri singled to put runners on the corners with still no one out. Ranck flied out to right field but a stolen base by Tajiri and an RBI single by senior Dan Etter put two on base for classmate Sheldon Witmer.
Witmer — who is tied for the team lead in RBI (10) — smashed a three-run home run to dead center field, capping off a seven-run inning for the Falcons.
Messiah almost had another big inning just a frame later, as Ranck came to bat with two outs and two men in scoring position. However, the senior's sharply hit ground ball up the middle was fielded cleanly by the pitcher, ending the inning.
Slowly but surely, the Pride began to chip away at the lead, putting up two runs in the third on a trifecta of doubles and two more in the fifth to make it a one-run game.
What occurred in the sixth was an inning to forget for the Falcons.
The Pride erupted for nine runs, turning what had once been a 7-2 deficit into a 15-7 advantage. Widener's runs came on five hits, including a home run, three walks, two errors, a hit batsmen and a wild pitch.
“With a lead like we had, you hate to see that slip away,” Engle said. “We ran into some tough situations and they capitalized.”
Engle's squad put up two runs in their half of the seventh, but it was too little, too late for a Falcons' team that has now lost three games in a row.
Junior starter Eric Spring was tagged for six runs in four and one third innings, coming on seven hits and three walks. Relief pitchers Nate Roten (sophomore), Davin Okerblom (sophomore) and Thomas were hit hard for nine runs – eight earned – in just one and two thirds innings on the mound.
Okerblom (0-1) suffered the pitching loss, responsible for six of the Pride's nine runs in the dreadful sixth.
“We'll respond,” Engle said. “In the sport of baseball, it is inevitable that there will be some tallies in the 'L' column. Obviously, you want more in the 'W' column but occasionally you do come out on the short end of the stick. It happens. We just have to believe in ourselves and get back there on the field and get after the next one.”
Messiah will look to exorcise some demons next, as the team is scheduled to host Widener for the last of the three-game league series Tuesday. Originally scheduled for Friday, unplayable field conditions led to the postponement. The Falcons and Pride are now slated to face off in a nine-inning contest Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
