GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah baseball team dropped its 2022 home-opener to Nichols College, 9-4, Friday afternoon at Starry Baseball Field. Evan Wagaman shined offensively, going 3-for-4 at the dish while Mason Valentino launched a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth.
 
Wagaman's three-hit game was a career-high mark for the first-year player.
 
The loss drops the Falcons' 2022 overall record to 8-8.
 
The Falcons, in their home-opening contest, got on the board quickly with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Messiah took advantage of three wild pitches from Nichols' starting pitcher, Sean Ryan, to plate Sam Zercher, leaving two runners on base to end the frame. Nichols answered promptly in the top of the second inning when Isaac Blanford belted a three-run home run over the left field fence, giving the Bison a 3-1 advantage.
 
Josh Monturo, Messiah's starting pitcher, was chased in the top of the third inning following another three-spot from Bison in the scoreboard. After two and a half frames, the Falcons trailed Nichols, 6-1.
 
JJ Zirkle came on in relief of Monturo, ­­­­pitching a total of 2.1 innings, allowing just two two hits while striking out two batters.
 
Messiah threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning, putting runners on third and first base with no outs following a hit batsmen and a base hit from Evan Wagaman. The Bison escaped the jam, using a caught-stealing putout and consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.
 
The Falcons' offense remained stagnant until the bottom of the seventh inning, plating their second run of the contest on an error from the Bison third baseman. At the end of seven innings, Messiah had a six-run deficit (8-2).
 
Despite the deficit, Messiah's bullpen shined. In addition to Zirkle's strong outing, Colin Dorrell pitched two innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits. Alex Weakland also came on in relief, allowing just one run over two innings pitched while striking out two batters.
 
Messiah's offensive play of the game came in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out on the board and a runner on first, Valentino stepped in as a pinch hitter. Valentino put a charge into a fastball, sending the ball far over the center field fence. The two-run shot cut the Falcons' deficit to five runs (9-4), the team's first run-scoring hit of the game.
 
The ninth inning was a strong offensive frame for Messiah, scoring two runs on three hits.
 
What's Next
Messiah will lay at home next Monday, Mar. 21, taking on Penn. State – Mont Alto at 3:00 p.m.