GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah baseball team used a stellar outing from Jason Long and late runs to win the first game of a three-game series against the Albright Lions on Friday afternoon. The Falcons claimed an 8-2 victory after scoring seven runs across the seventh and eighth innings. On the mound, Jason Long was outstanding, tossing 8.2 innings while allowing just two runs (one earned) and striking out nine batters.
 
At the dish, Messiah was led by multi-hit games from Isaiah Parido and Dustin Isanogle. Parido went 2-2 at the plate with a triple and three walks. Isanogle also went 2-2, driving home three runs with a double and a pair of walks. Dylan Beard drove home three runs for the Falcons late in the game with a sacrifice fly and a two-run single.
 
With the victory, Messiah improves to 12-6 on the season and 3-1 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Falcons and Lions will be back in action on Sunday to complete the series with a doubleheader in Reading, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
 
How It Happened
Jason Long's performance on the hill was the story in Friday's conference contest with the Albright Lions. The first-year hurler hung eight-straight zeros on the scoreboard, but the Falcons offense was only able to give him one run of support throughout most of the contest. For a long time, it looked like Evan Wagaman's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third innings was going to be enough as Long continued to put zeros on the board.
 
Messiah was turned away quietly in the first and second, but got on the board in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly from Evan Wagaman. The fly ball down the right field line, brought home Nick Moyer for the game's first run. Despite loading the bases with no outs, Messiah was only able to push across the one run as they took a 1-0 lead.
 
The Falcons had traffic on the bases every inning after taking the lead, but were unable to add to their advantage until the last of the seventh. After Isaiah Parido walked to leadoff the inning, Joshua Ammons launched a home run to left field that was inexplicably called a foul ball, despite looking as if it landed in fair territory. The senior shook off the challenging call and lined a double off the wall in right-center to give Messiah an instant rally with runners on second and third with no outs. After a walk loaded the bases, Dylan Beard brought home Messiah's second run on a sacrifice fly to left field. Dustin Isanogle later singled up the middle to make it 3-0 as the game headed to the eighth.
 
After Jason Long retired the Lions in order in the top of the frame with a nice catch from Dyland Beard in shallow right field and a pair of strikeouts, the Falcons' offense went back to work. Danny Morales led off the frame with a pinch-hit double to get things started. After back-to-back walks and a hit-by-pitch, Messiah collected big hits from Dylan Beard and Dustin Isanogle to drive home two runs each, pushing the Falcons lead to 8-0.
 
While the Lions would score a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, Messiah was able to earn the 8-2 victory. Jason Long nearly closed out the complete game, but was lifted for a reliever after 113 pitches and 8.2 innings. In his impressive performance, Long set new career highs for innings and strikeouts, fanning nine.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons and Lions will conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. in Reading, Pa.