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XML Box Score 2 Port St. Lucie, FL - After dropping game one 3-2 this morning,
Evan Young shined in game two against Centenary College to pick up a 4-0 win for the Falcons. Young pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out eight. The win brought the Falcons' record to .500 (4-4) and ended the team's Spring Break games on a high note.
After successfully closing out a three-game series against Commonwealth opponent Albright College on Tuesday, the Falcons were riding the high of their 9-8 victory. Their good fortune unfortunately did not carry over into the first of two games against the Centenary Cyclones (7-5).
Offensive production was at a minimum in game one as the Falcons had a tough time figuring the Cyclones' pitcher, Mitch Rentz (3-0). Held to one hit or less in six of seven innings, the Falcons were managed to score just two runs.
Messiah fell behind 1-0 after the second inning, but their bats came alive in the fourth. The Falcons strung together four singles and a walk to score two runs, taking the 2-1 lead.
The Cyclones responded in the top of the fifth with three straight hits, all with two outs, putting pressure on the Falcons. Messiah made a pitching change – McClure for Fisher - after the second hit, but it wasn't enough. A costly defensive error gave way to two Cyclone runs, giving Centenary the 3-2 lead.
The score would stand, as the Falcons were unable to create ample scoring opportunities in the remaining innings.
Game two was a different story all together for Messiah as they out-hit the Cyclones 6-3 and outscored them 4-0. Much of their success came from the strong performance of pitcher
Evan Young. Young worked out of jams in several innings, stranding five Cyclones runners throughout the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
Offensively, the Falcons posted runs in both the third and fifth innings.
In the third,
Joseph Saufley singled and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. In the next at-bat,
Casey Ebersole reached on an error and was followed by a bunt single by
Zach Brubaker's, which allowed Saufley to score. Moments later,
Derek Drake reached on a fielder's choice that got Brubaker out at second, but the stage was set for another run to be scored. With two outs and runners on first and third, Messiah attempted a double steal and was successful. Ebersole stole home to go up 2-0 and Drake was safe at second.
Ben Sollenberger struck out to end the inning.
The Falcons' offense continued to produce in the fifth inning when
Andrew Eyster singled to right and then stole second to move into scoring position. Just two batters later, Ebersole followed Eyster's lead with an RBI single and a stolen base of his own. After a fly-out by Brubaker, Drake doubled to score Ebersole and give Messiah a solid 4-0 lead and the eventual victory.
Derek Drake (1-for-2, double),
Casey Ebersole (1-for-4, two runs), and
Zach Brubaker (1-for-4) led the Falcons with individual RBI's.
Evan Young (3 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts) went the distance on the mound for his first win of the season. The complete game shutout was the first of his collegiate career.
The Falcons return to Pennsylvania next week and take on Alvernia University on Mar. 22. The single game will take place in Reading, Pa. and begins at 12:00 p.m.
