PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Messiah baseball team halted a five-game losing skid with a 9-4 victory over the Geneva Golden Tornadoes on Monday morning. The Falcons jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first and proceeded to lead for the entirety of the game.
 
Kasey Caras led the Falcons offensively with a 3-4 effort at the dish with two runs scored, a double, and an RBI. Kyle Wickenheiser drove home a pair and Dan Wiederrecht hustled around the bases for an inside-the-park home run in the ninth to cap off the victory.
 
Messiah took advantage of six Geneva errors in the game, scoring four unearned runs in the victory.
 
After Monday's game, Messiah has completed their varsity schedule in Florida. The Falcons will continue to play developmental games in Florida for the remainder of the week, but will next take the field in a varsity game on Saturday when they travel to Hood for a doubleheader.
 
How It Happened
Messiah wasted no time in the top of the first, putting three runs on the board in the opening frame. Kasey Caras got the first of his three hits in the game with an infield single that score Jimmy Kustra, who reached earlier in the inning on an error, from third. A sacrifice fly from Billy Davis brought Jarod Bingaman home after a double steal and Caras crossed the plate on an error by the first baseman.
 
The Golden Tornadoes used four hits to plate two runs in the bottom of the frame of the frame, closing the gap to 3-2.
 
The Falcons increased their lead with a two-out, two-run single from Clayton Roberts in the top of the third to make it a 5-2. Two innings later, Roberts was involved in another run scoring play. The sophomore put a bunt down and advanced to third on an error on the third baseman. The error allowed Kyle Wickenheiser to score from second and Messiah moved their lead to 6-2.
 
Josh Baptiste drove home a pair of Geneva runs in the bottom of the fifth with a single to centerfield, but Messiah starter Glenn Petraitis was able to limit the damage, allowing just the two runs while leaving two more stranded. The fifth was Petraitis' final frame after the senior wiggled his way out of jams throughout his five innings. He did earn the win, allowing four runs (all earned) on 10 hits and one walk, while striking out one.
 
Messiah's bullpen was exceptional with Ben Stewart and Carson Spangler tossing the final four frames, allowing two hits and one walk. Spangler threw three shutout innings with eight strikeouts to earn the three-innings save.
 
The Falcons added insurance runs in the sixth with a two-run double from Wickenheiser and one more in the ninth on an inside-the-park home run by Dan Wiederrecht to right field. The insurance runs along with the shutdown pitching, allowed Messiah to go on for the 9-4 victory.
 
What's Up Next
Messiah moves to 5-6 overall with the victory and, as mentioned, will next take the field in a varsity game on Saturday in Frederick, Md. when they take on Hood in a conference doubleheader.