Box Score
By Cody Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Grantham, PA — Senior captain Travis Thome's shutout on the mound helped Messiah to a 5-0 win over Albright College Tuesday afternoon, completing a three-game sweep of the Lions in the first Commonwealth Conference series of the season — and putting a nice finish on the club's home opener.
“We're 3-0 in the conference so far,” said Steve DeRiggs, Messiah head coach. “It was nice to sweep, and this was a good way for us to start.”
Thome (3-3) was masterful for the second time in as many starts, throwing all nine innings without allowing a single run. He allowed just seven hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was the third time this year Thome pitched a complete game; he has allowed just two earned runs in those starts.
“Thome is just a winner,” DeRiggs said. “He has pitched three extremely important games for us this year. He helps to shape the team. He is the most effective leader on the mound and he is a leader both off the field and on the field.”
Tuesday's shutout was Thome's second straight complete game on the mound. During those two tilts, the four-year starter for the Falcons has struck out 21 batters while allowing just one walk. Thome, who threw five innings of one-hit shutout ball against Albright last season, has allowed just four earned runs in 26.2 career innings against the Lions.
In Tuesday's contest, Albright (2-11, 0-3) put multiple runners on base in the same inning just twice against Thome, who threw just 106 pitches in the wire-to-wire win. It was a veteran performance from a player the Falcons have learned to count on for all four of his years with the club.
“That kind of performance is almost becoming an expectation with Thome,” said Elliot Thomas, Messiah pitching coach. “He has the ability and mentality to do that every time he is on the hill.”
On offense, Messiah (7-11, 3-0) took advantage of six Albright errors to put five runs on the board. Junior John Brubaker — who is leading the Falcons in batting average for the year — led the charge with two hits, including a double, while freshman Jon Lapp had two hits of his own.
“John Brubaker continues to impress on both offense and defense,” DeRiggs said. “Jon Lapp had a nice game from the plate, (freshman) Jacob Sprengle continues to improve, especially for a freshman, and (junior) Sam Tajiri put constant pressure on the pitcher when he was on base.”
The Falcons left the bases loaded in the first inning, but picked up two runs in the second and one in each of the third, fourth and eighth innings.
“We still left far too many men on base,” DeRiggs said. “There are situations in which that would really hurt us, and we are going to have to capitalize on our opportunities from here on out.”
The Falcons — who play seven games in eight days, beginning with Tuesday's capper — host Franklin and Marshall College in a non-conference contest Thursday afternoon. That game, which has previously been rescheduled twice due to inclement weather, is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
Following that contest, Messiah begins a three-game weekend conference series with Arcadia University, with Friday's game to be played at Starry Field while Saturday's double-header will be played at Arcadia in Glenside, Pa.
