Box Score READING (PA) – Delaware Valley University came back from two runs down, but it was Albright College that used a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to earn a 6-5 home, non-conference victory.
The Lions improved their record to 8-20 overall while the Aggies fell to 10-11.
With runners on first and third in the bottom of the first, Albright executed a double steal and Nathan Fretz came in to score from third base. DelVal got a ground ball double play to get out of the inning down one and tied the game in its next at-bat with an RBI double from
Matt Beyer that scored
Sammy Amos.
The Aggies took the lead in the fifth inning after
Bobby Altieri worked a leadoff walk and eventually came around to score on a throwing error to make it 2-1.
However, in the bottom of the frame the Lions put together a two-out rally that resulted in three runs on three hits and one error. Joe Suppa picked up a single that scored two runs in that stretch and put Albright ahead 4-2.
DelVal tied the game in the top of the seventh thanks to a two-out single to center field from
Kyle Wenger that scored
Steve Smith.
Nate Cummings also scored on that play after a throwing error by the center fielder to tie the game at four apiece.
The Lions regained the lead in their next at-bat when Noah Beebe laced a single to the opposite field that plated Tanner Brescancine.
The Aggies still trailed by one when they came to the plate in the ninth with the top of the order due up. Crill led off with a single to right and Wenger delivered a one-out double to left that put runners on second and third for
Josh Morgan. Albright intentionally walked Morgan and Amos followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Crill. The Lions were able to get out of the jam with a pop-up to second base and the score was tied heading to the bottom of the ninth.
Brescancine got aboard to start the final frame on a throwing error and Albright inserted pinch-runner Jesse Fikslin. Zach Krause laid down a bunt to advanced Fikslin to second and Beebe delivered a single up the middle that proved to be the game-winning hit as Fikslin crossed the plate for the 6-5 final.
Crill picked up the loss in a game that saw four different Aggies take the mound and combine for eight hits against with three strikeouts. Wenger led the offense with a 2-for-4 effort including a walk and an RBI. Amos and Beyer also picked up RBIs with Amos scoring once as well. Altieri and Smith each finished 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Brescancine was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, one run scored and two walks. Beebe and Suppa each went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Trevor Mastria earned the win with two innings pitched.
DelVal resumes Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play when it begins a three game series with FDU-Florham, starting with a nine-inning contest at home on Friday, April 21. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
