GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah baseball team dropped a home afternoon contest to Cairn University, 4-1, at Starry Baseball Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Nathan Stein made the start for the Falcons, tossing five scoreless innings as
Evan Wagaman provided the lone run-scoring hit for the Falcons.
Despite the loss, five Falcons hit safely, led by two-hit games from both Wagaman and
Clayton Roberts. Stein, in addition to his five scoreless innings, struck out seven batters.
The opening three innings of play were uneventful offensively between the two sides as both starting pitchers shined. Each starter allowed just one hit, breezing their way through the opposing batters. Through three frames, Stein had recorded four strikeouts.
The Falcons threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning, putting two runners on base. Messiah had a chance to take the lead with two outs, but Battaglia got
Clayton Roberts to fly out to end the frame. Through five innings of play, the two sides were knotted up, 0-0.
Stein pitched five complete innings before being relieved by
Noah Barrall to start the sixth inning. Stein pitched well, allowing no runs while striking out seven batters.
The Highlanders broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth inning, plating two runs on two hits, taking advantage of an infield error from Messiah. The big run-scoring knock came from Brian Amantia Jr., a two-run triple down the right-field line to give Cairn a 2-0 edge.
Messiah, after six scoreless frames, got the offense going in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Mason Valentino got things going, working a leadoff walk and being replaced on the basepaths by
Jason Johnson. A Roberts infield single put runners on first and second as
Evan Wagaman singled to left field, plating the Falcons' first run of the contest and knocking Battaglia out of the game. Brian Spadea came on in relief for Cairn, recording the final two outs of the inning as Messiah stranded two runners.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Falcons loaded the bases with two outs.
Joshua Ammons was the batter, the biggest at-bat of the game up to that point. Ammons came through, lacing a shot up the middle, but Cairn's second baseman made a phenomenal defensive play to deny Messiah. Dylan Fields sprawled out to his right side to make a diving grab, ending the inning with the force out at second base.
The Highlanders took their momentum into the ninth inning, scoring two more runs on a two-run triple. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Falcons trailed, 4-1, and could not muster a comeback, falling to Cairn.
The loss drops Messiah's overall record to 16-13 (6-2 MAC Commonwealth).
What's Next
Messiah travels to Widener University to take on the Pride in a conference doubleheader this Saturday, Apr. 16, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
