Glenside, PA - Messiah College earned a split at Arcadia University on Saturday, winning Game Two by a 6-2 score. The Falcons' performance kept their MAC Commonwealth record at an even .500 (4-4) and they'll next play on Monday when they host Arcadia in a single game to complete the three-game series.
Game One - Arcadia 6, Messiah 3Arcadia scored three runs on a single hit in the fourth inning to break a 2-2 tie en route to a 6-3 win over Messiah in Game One of Saturday's double-header. The Knights had three walks in the frame and also scored a run on a double-steal of second base and home.
Messiah cut into their 5-2 deficit with a run in the sixth, but Arcadia earned it right back in the bottom of the frame and finished with the Game One win.
The fourth inning was the turning point for the Knights as the first two batters walked to set up the rally. An attempted sac bunt by Drew Coisson went for a hit to load the bases, and another forced in the first run. Arcadia's Nick Todero then collected a sac fly to centerfield to make it 4-2, with Coisson moving to third on the play. A double-steal was then executed perfeclty as Bryan Gillen took off for second base; Coisson took advantage of the throw to swipe home and put Arcadia up 5-2.
Messiah almost cut into their deficit in their next at-bat, but with two runners on with one out
Joseph Saufley struck out swimming.
Ben Sollenberger was then picked off third with
Kyle Schoen at the plate.
In the sixth inning
Josh Good singled with two outs to drive in
Kyle Wickenheiser who had doubled two batters earlier.
Adam Janney struck out looking to end the threat.
But as mentioned, Arcadia quickly earned the run back in the bottom of the sixth, and it proved big as Messiah was unable to bring the tying run to the plate in their final at-bat.
John Griffitts took the loss after allowing eight hits and six runs (5 earned) across six innings. He struck out four batter but also walked four Knights.
Game Two - Messiah 6, Arcadia 2The Falcons put the opening loss behind them in quick and loud fashion as
Joseph Saufley crushed a two-run home run to right field in the first inning of Game Two. Arcadia earned a run back in the third inning after putting runners on first and third with one out. Jordan Drauda collected the RBI with a sac bunt that brought home his teammate from third base. Two batters later
Zach Luman got the Falcons out of more trouble by inducing a grounder back to the mound.
The score stayed 2-1 until the sixth inning when Messiah collected three run-scoring extra-base hits. Wickenheiser started the rally with a one out walk, and Good promptly doubled him home with a liner to left center.
Adam Janney then doubled to left to bring home pinch runner
Andrew Eyster, and
Jon Mullin followed with a third-straight double to chase Janney.
Messiah kept the pressure on when
Ben Sollenberger reached on an error later in the frame to bring home the Falcons' sixth run of the game.
Luman returned to the mound but gave up back-to-back one out hits and an RBI groundout.
Drew Betz came on and relieved Luman, and he finished the final 1.1 innings to protect the win.
Luman moved to 4-2 with the decision after going 5.1 innings and allowing six hits and two earned runs. He also struck out six batters against just one walk.
Wickenheiser and Janney (two doubles) led the Falcons with two hits apiece, and
Ryan Adamus collected the final of five doubles. Saufley's two RBI pushed his team-leading totall to 22 this season.
