XML Box Score Port St. Lucie, FL - The Falcons wrapped up a three game series against Albright College Tuesday with a 9-8 victory.
Messiah took a 2-0 lead in the first on a RBI triple by
Ben Sollenberger. Both teams posted single runs in their next offensive halves, yet the Lions countered in the bottom of the fourth. Albright used two walks and a Messiah error to score two runs and tie things up at 3-3.
The Falcons responded with three more runs on three hits in the top of the fifth.
Zach Brubaker (single),
Derek Drake (double), and
Josh Good (triple) each contributed to the offensive onslaught that pushed the Falcons ahead 6-4.
In the sixth, the Falcons (3-3, 2-1) left two on base and came up empty on the scoreboard, opening the door for the Lions. Albright (3-2, 1-2) capitalized, scoring three runs on five hits for the 7-6 lead. In the inning, the Falcons used three different pitchers in order to slow down the Lions. Starter
Jon Lapp gave up three hits in the sixth before stepping aside and giving the ball to
Paul Broomell. Broomell inherited two base runners (on first and second) and no outs, yet his time in relief was brief.
After walking his first batter and loading the bases, Broomell forced the next batter to ground into a double play. Despite the fact that a run had scored, the Falcons seemed to be working out of the jam. The Lions weren't on the same page, though. Albright's Nate Peiffer singled to left field, scoring the go-ahead run and forcing Broomell to leave the game after facing just three batters. Fortunately for the Falcons, their third pitcher's the charm.
John Griffitts was able to stop the Lions and end the inning.
Trailing 6-7, the Falcons never let down. They took advantage of an Albright error in the top of the seventh, adding a single run to tie the score 7-7. In top of the eighth, Messiah added two more runs on a double from
Ben Sollenberger, taking the 9-7 lead.
Griffitts was in the zone in the seventh and eighth allowing just one base runner (walk), yet narrowly escaped the ninth. In their final at-bats, the Lions managed three singles before Griffitts walked in a run. With the score at 9-8 in Messiah's favor, two outs, and the bases loaded, Albright was on the verge of a come-from-behind victory. Fortunately for the Falcons, Griffitts ended the game on a strikeout and secured the hard-fought win.
In 3.1 innings of work,
John Griffitts earned his first win of the season. He faced 16 batters, gave up one run on four hits, and struck out three. Starter
Jon Lapp gave up seven runs (4 earned) on six hits and struck out four, while
Paul Broomell faced three batters, allowed one hit, and walked one batter.
Albright's Trey Eberly took the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits in 3.2 innings. Starter Daniel Louviaux took the no-decision in 5.1 innings of work. He allowed six runs (4 earned) on seven hits and struck out four.
Offensively, the Falcons were powered by
Ben Sollenberger who went 2-for-2 with a double, triple, and four RBI's.
Derek Drake was 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI, while
Josh Good was 2-for5 with a triple and an RBI.
Messiah returns to action on Thursday when they take on Centenary College (New Jersey). The double header is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m.
