OWINGS MILLS, Md. -
Reed Wagner knocked a two-run single in the top of the eighth inning to score the go ahead runs in a 5-3 victory for the Messiah baseball team over the Stevenson Mustangs on Friday afternoon.
Kasey Caras drove home two runs earlier in the contest as the Falcons wiped away a 3-0 deficit after the Mustangs scored there in the bottom of the first.
After allowing three first-inning runs,
Christian Woodie rebounded to toss a nine-inning complete game. His only blemish were those three early runs. In the victory, Woddie allowed just six hits and two walks while striking out four to claim his third win of the season. Woodie needed 122 pitches to cap off the much-needed win for Messiah.
The Falcons move to 8-6 in the MAC Commonwealth and remain in the hunt for an elusive spot in the upcoming Conference Tournament. Messiah will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in a key doubleheader against the Alvernia Golden Wolves, beginning at noon at the Starry Athletic Complex.
How It Happened
After the Falcons were retired in order in the top of the first, the Stevenson Mustangs were first on the board in the bottom of the frame. A hit-by-pitch and a pair of walks loading the bases with no outs, before an RBI single, a sacrifice fly, and fielder's choice brought home a run each to put the Mustangs ahead 3-0 in the opening frame.
That was all the Mustangs would get as
Christian Woodie immediately settled down and took command of the game. Woodie would not walk another batter after the first inning, tossing a complete game with four strikeouts and six hits.
It took a few frames for the offense to get going, but Messiah dented the board for the first time in the top of the fourth with an RBI single from
Kasey Caras, driving home
Reed Wagner after Wagner led off the frame with a walk.
Caras and the Falcons were at it again in the sixth, with a single through the right-side by Messiah's left fielder scoring
Dustin Isanogle. Caras' second RBI of the game pulled Messiah within one at 3-2. Later in the frame, Messiah loaded the bases, but a strikeout and groundout ended the frame and the Mustangs continued to lead by one.
In the seventh, a Messiah rally was started by an error and
Reed Wagner cashed in the opportunity with a single to tie things up at 3-3. Like the inning prior, Messiah loaded the bases, but were unable to connect on the big hit. The Falcons left the bases loaded for the second-straight frame.
Reed Wagner knocked the biggest hit of the game and arguably the season for the Falcons in the top of the eighth, driving home a pair of runs with a single down the right-field line. Both
Clayton Roberts and
Sam Zercher hustled home as the Falcons claimed a 5-3 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Stevenson loaded the bases with a single, a hit by pitch, and an error, but
Christian Woodie and the Falcons escaped the jam without a run scoring. A double play and a pop up to short ended the game, giving the Falcons a 5-3 victory to stay alive in the race for a spot in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.
What's up Next
The Falcons will be back in action on Saturday in the final doubleheader of the regular season, taking on the Alvernia Golden Wolves at noon at the Starry Baseball Complex. The Falcons are fighting for their playoff lives, along with four other MAC Commonwealth teams that populate the second through sixth spots in the conference standings. If the Falcons sweep Alvernia tomorrow, Messiah locks up a spot in the tournament. Should they split, Messiah will need some help from around the conference to punch their ticket to next week's MAC Commonwealth Tournament.
