Bridgewater, VA — Senior Jordan Zimmerman followed a walk-off double in Game One with a three-run homer in Monday's nightcap, as Messiah picked up its first two wins of the season by 4-3 and 9-4 scores over Cazenovia College.
A late addition to the schedule following a plethora of rainouts, Messiah (2-2) traveled to Bridgewater College's Jopson Complex to meet the Wildcats — a team making a week-long southern swing over its spring break.
Zimmerman seemed to relish the squad's second outdoor opportunity of the year, going a combined 3-8 on the day complete with five RBI, not to mention pushing the game-winning runs across the plate in both contests.
“J-Z was big for us today, obviously, but I was probably more happy with the way we played than anything else,” said Bryan Engle, Messiah head coach. “To get two positive results was a bonus. I thought we responded well (after Saturday's losses to Catholic), and that was really good to see.”
Zimmerman's clutch seventh-inning double ended what was a tight opener throughout, as Cazenovia (1-3) grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. The Falcons responded with three singles in their half of the fourth to cut that lead in half, and posted the tying run in the sixth inning following a leadoff single from freshman Drew Frankenfield.
That score was nearly as heartstopping as Zimmerman's late double, as Engle called for a third-base hit and run with two outs retired: Frankenfield broke toward the plate as soon as senior Danny Etter made contact with the ball, and beat the throw from first following Etter's groundout.
Sophomore pitcher Thor Arnesen was able to keep the slate free of further damage until the top of the seventh, where Cazenovia got its only extra-base hit of the contest — a triple from Brandon Goodman — to help grab a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the inning.
That's when Engle's squad put together its most clutch plate appearances of the season, ignited by a leadoff single from senior Adam Ranck.
Following a fly out from senior Sheldon Witmer, freshman David Adams was issued a walk, prompting a pitching change from the designated visitors.
It was the wrong move before facing Zimmerman, however, as the Lititz, Pa. native laced a double into leftfield, scoring both Ranck and Adams — and ending the game in dramatic fashion.
Arnesen (1-0) recorded the complete-game win, striking out six Wildcat batters while walking just two.
Despite stranding nine base runners in the first six innings of work, Messiah stayed the course to eke out the win in the seventh.
“Thor had a solid first outing outside, and he kept us in the game,” Engle said. “I was really proud of the way we battled and chipped away. Even though we didn't take advantage of some early scoring opportunities, we were able to keep fighting back.”
Messiah had to rebound from an early 2-0 deficit in Game Two, as a pair of singles and a double from the Wildcats pushed two across in the bottom of the first inning.
That was nothing a five-run third inning couldn't take care of, however, as three singles brought home the Falcons' second run of the contest — the first came following a double from sophomore Wes Hollenbach in the second.
With runners on first and second in the third, Zimmerman crushed a shot to left centerfield, giving Messiah its first round-tripper of the season and a 6-2 lead.
Another base knock from Zimmerman was eventually scored in the top of the fifth inning, while a Witmer double ignited a two-run sixth inning.
With a comfortable lead in hand, Witmer (1-0) relaxed on the mound, going six full innings while allowing just four runs off of six hits. Sophomore Davin Okerblom then came on in the seventh inning, an issued walk being his only misstep in forcing a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to conclude things.
“We swung the bats like we're capable (in Game Two),” Engle said, noting the team's 11 hits. “We played well both offensively and defensively. We kind of got to open the playbook a little bit in playing with a lead, and that was fun for the guys. We were able to run and hit and be aggressive on the base paths, and we continued to put the ball in play.”
Zimmerman, Witmer, Etter and Adams all provided a pair of hits in the nightcap, with Adams knocking in a pair of runs to complement Zimmerman's three RBI. Witmer, Hollenbach and Adams all posted doubles as well, giving Messiah a total of four extra-base hits — a single-game season-high.
“I thought that Sheldon threw well in six strong innings, and it was good to get Davin his first collegiate appearance in the seventh,” Engle said. “Overall, we played well, and after the first half of Game One, played really well.”
Messiah will hope to continue that type of play as the team travels to central Florida for its spring break, as the squad will play six games over a five-day stretch. The action is slated to begin Friday afternoon, as the Falcons are scheduled to play a nine-inning contest against Misericordia University in Winter Haven, Fla. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m.
