Box Score
Note: Messiah's double-header with Stevenson on Saturday, Apr. 20 will start at 1:00 p.m.
by Zach Specht, GoMessiah.com reporter
Stevenson, MD -
Casey Ebersole went 4-5 with a home run and five RBI as Messiah collected a season-high 21 hits in a 16-11 win over Stevenson University. The Falcons' scored five runs in the first inning and three runs in each the second, sixth, and eighth innings en route to a season-high run total.
Messiah came out with blazing bats in the first inning. The Falcons registered five hits for five runs to build an early lead.
Ben Sollenberger got Messiah rolling with an RBI single scoring
Jacob Sprengle from third.
Jeremiah Eaton emptied the bases with a three RBI triple that scored
Paul Mellinger,
Derek Drake, and Sollenger. Ebersole would then bring Eaton home via a single to the short to round out Messiah's explosive first.
Stevenson promptly responded to Messiah's offensive outburst in the home half of the first. The Mustangs put up five hits against Falcons' starter
Jon Lapp and scored four runs to draw within one after one inning.
In the second inning, the Falcons picked right up where they left off. With runners on the corners, Mellinger jacked a three-run home run to left field to put Messiah up 8-4.
Scott Merkel kept Stevenson afloat with an RBI single to left field to produce the Mustangs only run of the second inning.
Both teams managed to score one run in their respective half of the fourth inning. Sollenberger had an RBI single for the Falcons and Troy Miller had a RBI double for Stevenson, as Messiah led 9-5.
The Falcons' offense continued bringing in runs as
Matt Turman brought Ebersole home in the top of the fifth via a bunt down the third base line that Turman converted into a single.
Stevenson would battle back as the Mustangs scored three runs in the fifth, but the Falcons would turn it on late in the game. With runners on first and second in the top of the sixth inning, Ebersole would continue his dynamic outing with a three run home run over the left field wall to give Messiah a 13-10 lead. The Falcons registered two home runs in today's contest; marking the second time they have accomplished that this season (Previously at Alvernia on 3/22).
In the top of the eighth, the Falcons continued to build on their lead and move into the driver's seat. With Drake on second and Sollenberger on first, the Falcons would attempt aggressive base running. Messiah attempted a double steal, but Drake was caught stealing third while Sollenberger made it safely to second. The failed steal breaks the Falcons streak of 13 consecutive steals over the past two games.
Ebersole kept his sizzling bat swinging, this time connecting on an RBI double to left field brining home Sollenberger.
David Sletta added the last of Messiah's runs with a two RBI single that brought Ebersole and Eaton across home plate.
Stevenson would tally a lone run in the bottom of the eighth, but it would prove to be inadequate as Messiah registered a season-high 16 runs as the Falcons tamed the Mustangs 16-11.
Ebersole led the Falcons as he tallied season highs with five RBI and four hits. With home run today, Mellinger has extended his hitting streak to nine consecutive games.
The win move Messiah to 9-7 in the Commonwealth as they currently edge out Widener for the fourth and final playoff spot in the conference.
The Falcons will look to stay in the win column on Saturday when they host Stevenson University to conclude the weekend home-and-home series. The first pitch of the double-header is scheduled for 1 p.m.
