Box Score ST. DAVIDS (PA) – Eastern University scored three runs in the first inning and did not look back as it defeated Delaware Valley University, 7-1, in the first game of a three-game Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom series.
The Eagles improved to 12-16 overall and 7-9 in league games while the Aggies dropped to 11-14 and 5-11. Eastern now holds a two-game lead on DelVal for the fifth spot in the MAC Freedom standings with the series heading to Doylestown for a doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m. Manhattanville holds the fourth and final playoff spot with an 8-8 mark.
The Eagles loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning of this game and Andrew Boykin delivered an RBI single to make it 1-0. Freddy Yahn came up next and grounded into a double play, but another run scored. Then Brady DiGiacomo hit an RBI single through the left side to give Eastern a three-run lead after one.
The Aggies got one back in the top of the third when Trevor Musselman hit a lead-off double down the left field line and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from
Nate Cummings.
Yahn picked up another RBI single in the sixth inning to make it 4-1. In the seventh, DelVal loaded the bases on a single from
Steve Smith and a pair of walks to
Kevin Crill and Cummings.
Kyle Wenger then came up with two outs, but hit a soft grounder to the right side and the second baseman flipped to the pitcher to end the threat.
The Eagles scored two more in the seventh and one in the eighth to seal the 7-1 victory. Timmy Gorton knocked a two-run single and Craig Stanley an RBI single during that run.
Crill pitched seven innings giving up 10 hits and four earned runs (two unearned) with three walks and two strikeouts.
Trevor Dalton pitched one inning in relief and surrendered two hits and one run. Musselman went 2-for-4 with one run scored and Wenger hit his seventh double of the year.
For Eastern, Gorton went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and as many RBIs. DiGiacomo was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Kelly went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Tommy Strazza earned his first win of the year on the mound with six hits and one run against in seven innings pitched.
