Box Score
Grantham, PA - The Falcons defeated the Lions of Albright College today 11-9,
Steven Ridings pitched a solid seven innings with two earned runs while
David Sletta batted in four runs on three hits.
The score was 11-5 going into the ninth inning with
Adam Marshall on the mound. One run scored on a fly out to center, then Collin Hecker hit a huge two-run double off the top of the fence to halve the lead. Their last run scored was unearned from a pop up betweeen short stop and center field that wasn't corralled properly by the Falcons. Just before that
Mitch McClure was brought in to finish up the game, which he did successfully.
Messiah started out the game slow, giving up three runs in the second and not scoring themselves until the fourth. In that fourth inning,
Paul Mellinger singled to lead off and eventually
Casey Ebersole brought him home. Later on
David Sletta got his first RBI of the game, bringing home Drake.
Albright took a 4-2 lead in the top of the sixth but the Falcons responded in the bottom of the inning.
Ben Sollenberger led off with a solo shot over the right-center fence, his first home run of the year. Sletta then secured his second RBI with a single to the outfield that brought in Drake from second base.
Matt Turman then got on base from a fielder's choice and promptly stole second. Getting him to come back home was
Zach Brubaker with a double down the left field line.
The Falcons kept the runs coming in the next inning when Sletta found himself up with the bases loaded. He ripped a double into the right-center gap to bring in his final two RBIs of the game. Right after that, Turman singled to left field to bring in another two runs and increase the lead to 9-4.
The Lions made the score 9-5 in the top of the 8th but another double for the Falcons by Drake brought in two more runs, bringing the score to 11-5. Messiah looked to have the game in hand heading into the ninth but Albright apparently had different plans.
Albright had the bases loaded before any outs could be made by the defense. Marshall did well to keep a cool head, but McClure came in to finish out the game and keep the Falcons in the lead.
The win takes the Falcons to 8-7 in the conference while the Lions fall to 3-12 in conference play. The next game for the Falcons will be tomorrow, Apr. 17 at home against the Red Devils of Dickinson College.
BB: Falcons Stave Off Charging Lions Gallery
