FREDERICK, Md. - Hood's Nathan Kessler walked off the Messiah baseball team with a two-out bases loaded single to center field to give the Blazers a 3-2 victory over the Falcons in Game One of a Saturday doubleheader. Hood followed up their 3-2 victory from Game One with a second come-from-behind 3-2 win in Game Two.
 
In Game Two, Hood scored a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to erase a two-run Messiah lead.
 
The Falcons and Blazers will be back in action on Monday afternoon in Grantham to complete their three-game series with a single nine-inning game at 3:30 p.m.
 
Game One - Hood defeats Falcons 3-2
The Falcons held a 2-0 lead over the Blazers heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but Hood scored two runs in the frame to tie the game at 2-2. After the Blazers held Messiah scoreless in the top of the seventh, Hood's Kessler played hero in the seventh with an RBI single for the 3-2 win.
 
Messiah collected two hits in Game One with Trent Culver and Jarod Bingaman collecting RBI singles in the third and fifth innings, respectively. Culver's single drove home Trey Pritchard who walked to lead off the third. Culver would move to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded 90 feet from home plate.
 
Then in the fifth, Messiah put together a two-out rally to double their lead. Ryan Hentschel walked with two away and Culver reached on an error before Bingaman singled to center, giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead.
 
On the bump, Jordan Nichols took the loss after tossing 6.2 innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out eight. For Hood, Nate Luscombe hurled all seven frames, allowing just two unearned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out 11 Falcons.
 
Game Two - Hood defeats Falcons 3-2
In the second game of the doubleheader, Messiah jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a solo home run from Dan Wiederrecht and an RBI single from Jimmy Kustra in the second inning. The two-run advantage would hold into the fifth, when the Blazers got on the board with a two-out single, cutting the lead to 2-1.
 
In the sixth, a two-out Hood rally plated a pair of runs to give the Blazers a 3-2 lead. The Blazers tied the game on a wild pitch and three batters later, took the lead with an RBI single by Trent Copenhaver. Messiah was unable to tie the game in the seventh and suffered their second 3-2 loss on the day.
 
The Falcons registered seven hits in Game Two with seven different players earning a knock. As mentioned, Wiederrecht lifted a leadoff homer to left to lead off the second while Chris LaRose and Hunter Brindle each connected on doubles to account for Messiah's three extra-base hits.
 
Ethan Hess took the loss, allowing three runs (all earned) in 5.2 innings on four hits and two walks while striking out seven. For Hood, Connor Henniges earned the win, tossing a scoreless sixth inning and Jake Howell picked up his fourth save of the year with a scoreless seventh.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons drop to 0-5 in the MAC Commonwealth after Saturday's doubleheader. Messiah and Hood will complete their three-game series with the Blazers on Monday when Hood travels to Grantham at 3:30 p.m.