Box Score
by Zach Specht, GoMessiah.com reporter
Grantham, PA- Despite a ninth-inning rally to tie the game, the Falcons would fall to Widener University 4-2 in extra innings. The eleven-inning thriller abruptly ended when Matt Hone delivered a diving catch, which he would turn into a game ending double play.
In the opener of a crucial three-game series, the Pride moved into a tie with the Falcons for fourth place in the conference. Messiah now must sweep Saturday's doubleheader at Widener to clinch a spot in next week's conference tournament.
Widener opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning with the bases empty and two outs. Dennis Hocker connected on a double to right center and Josh Everett followed up with a grounder misplayed by third baseman
Jon Lapp, scoring Hocker for a 1-0 Pride lead. Sam Christie
Widener's lead doubled to 2-0 in the sixth.
Sam Christie had an infield single to lead off, stole second and scored two batters later when Marc Noyalis shot an RBI single up the middle.
Messiah scored their first run in the home half of the inning for a 2-1 contest.
Zach Brubaker singled to right, advanced to third on a pair of groundouts and scored on
Paul Mellinger's double to deep center field.
Messiah would display some late game heroics as the Falcons rallied to tie the ball game at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth.
Widener was two outs from victory in the bottom of the ninth when Messiah tied it, 2-2.
Jon Lapp was hit by a pitch, took second on a passed ball and pinch-runner
Andrew Eyster scored when
David Sletta singled through the right side.
The Pride took a 4-2 lead in the top of the 11th. Matt Scherer produced a one-out triple to left center and scored two batters later when Michael Riverso sent a sacrifice fly to left for a 3-2 advantage. Hocker followed with an RBI single for a two-run cushion.
The Falcons flashed resiliency in final frame of Friday's battle.
Derek Drake had a leadoff double to left while
Ben Sollenberger reached on an error and both moved up a base on Joseph Saulfley's sacrifice bunt.
With the tying runs in scoring position, Sletta lined into a game-ending double play courtesy of a remarkable grab by the Pride's shortstop, Hane.
Steven Ridings lasted 10 innings for the Falcons, striking out six batters and allowing two runs (one earned) and six hits.
Adam Marshall (0-1) pitched in the 11th for Messiah, allowing two runs on two hits for the Falcons.
The Falcons and Pride will square off tomorrow at Widener for a doubleheader with the winner claiming a spot in the conference tournament. The first pitch between the Falcons and Pride is scheduled for 12 p.m.
BB: Pride Defeat Falcons At Home Gallery
