By Cody Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Grantham, PA — Win or go home.
That scenario exemplifies Messiah's immediate situation for the 2010 season, heading into the final weekend of play: The Falcons may have dropped an 11-2 decision Wednesday afternoon to Dickinson College, but all eyes have already turned to the do-or-die, three-game Commonwealth Conference series with Lebanon Valley College this weekend. If Messiah sweeps the Dutchmen, it assures itself a berth in the four-team Commonwealth Tournament. A loss in any of the three games, and the Falcons' 2010 campaign will be over Saturday afternoon.
With Wednesday's game against the Red Devils being a non-conference tilt and having absolutely no bearing on the Messiah's post-season opportunities, it would be best for the Falcons to forget the loss and prepare for Friday and Saturday.
That's exactly the sentiment that head coach Bryan Engle displayed late Wednesday, as his team's five-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt.
“We have to move on,” Engle said. “We probably played our worst game of the year today, but it's over. Tomorrow is a new day. We have practice again, and Friday we are back on the field. There is no time to dwell on what we did today.”
Dickinson (9-25) — playing its final game of the season — took an early lead over Messiah (18-16) and never looked back, handing the Falcons their most lopsided loss of the season.
Sophomore Nate Roten received the pitching start for Messiah, but was hit hard in less than two innings of work on the mound. Roten (1-3) yielded five runs — four earned — and took home the loss for the day.
Five Messiah relief pitchers combined to finish the game. Sophomore Davin Okerblom entered in the second inning with two outs, and finished the inning. He pitched the third and fourth innings, allowing three earned runs on the day.
Junior Josh Hershberger pitched a scoreless fifth, working his way out of a bases-loaded jam. Senior Derek Sipe then threw the sixth and seventh innings, allowing two unearned runs. Sophomore Zach Adams pitched the eighth frame, giving up a single run, and senior Elliot Thomas closed out the game, pitching a perfect ninth inning.
In all, the Falcons received seven and one third innings from the bullpen.
“It's tough to win many games when your starting pitcher doesn't get out of the second inning,” Engle said.
Meanwhile, the usually productive Falcon bats were silent at the plate. Sean White (4-4), the Red Devils' starting pitcher, took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before senior Adam Ranck singled up the middle with one out. In all, the Falcons collected just five hits on the day and struck out 12 times.
Junior Jordan Snader's two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning scored senior Alex Lentz and freshman Drew Frankenfield, ending the shutout and putting Messiah on the board.
“It's always better to have the runs up there than the big zero,” Engle said. “We just have to focus on this weekend and get ready for (Lebanon Valley College).”
The usually reliable Falcons' defense also made three errors on the day, making it a day to forget for the home team.
Engle's club will now prepare for what really matters, as the team's regular-season finale with Lebanon Valley will begin Friday afternoon at Starry Field. Messiah will host the Dutchmen in a single, nine-inning game Friday at 3:30 p.m., then will travel to LVC's McGill Field for a Saturday double-header beginning at 12 p.m.
“We have to win all three (to qualify for post-season play), but we can only win one game at a time,” Engle said. “We're not going to win the double-header before we play Friday's game. We're going to need to hit the ball well. Clutch hitting is important. We can't give up extra outs. Every out is magnified at this point in the season. We have to do the little team things, and every situation counts.”
Engle, whose club missed the playoffs by one game last season, said he is ready for the weekend series — despite Wednesday's lackluster performance.
“I'm excited to manage,” he said. “This should be a lot of fun. Herb Brooks, the coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, once said 'Great moments are made from great opportunities.' We just have to take advantage of our opportunities this weekend.”
