HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College baseball team earned a split in its Centennial Conference doubleheader vs. the Washington College Shoremen at Kannerstein Field on Saturday afternoon. The Shoremen took game one, 5-4, while the Fords won game two, 5-1.
Washington College 5, Haverford College 4
The Fords got the scoring started with three runs in the fourth frame. Sophomore Yannick Villanueva led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a failed pick-off attempt. Freshman Mike Schmandt followed with a single that advanced Villanueva to third. Junior Nick Ott's RBI single gave the Fords a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Jared Deveau's RBI groundout gave Haverford its second run of the contest while senior Mike Tentilucci's sacrifice fly made the score 3-0.
Senior Casey Fox started on the mound for the home team and did now allow a hit until a Brian Alexa single in the sixth inning. Alexa got to third base on a two-base error and touched home on an RBI single by Bryan Baquer. The Fords added another run on an RBI double by Deveau in the next half inning.
The Shoremen put together a rally in the top of the ninth inning. A single and two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for Charlie Meder. He deposited a ball over the right field fence to put the visitors in front by the eventual final score, 5-4.
Fox tied his career high with nine strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings of work, scattering five hits and allowing an unearned run. Villanueva had a team-high three hits, scored two runs and had two doubles.
Haverford College 5, Washington College 1
Baquer gave the Shoremen an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with a home run to left field. The Fords' starter, freshman Justin Herring, settled down and retired seven of the next eight hitters. Haverford had a runner in scoring position in the third inning, but couldn't push across the tying run.
The Fords finally broke through in their half of the sixth inning. With two out, Fox walked and went to second on a single by freshman Spencer Sohmer. Fox and Sohmer executed a double steal, putting runners at second and third. The next hitter, Villanueva, came through with a clutch two-run single to put Haverford ahead 2-1.
Washington College put runners on first and second with one out in the seventh inning, leading to a pitching change for Haverford. Schmandt moved from right field to the mound and ended the scoring threat by inducing a double play.
Junior George Hatamiya's RBI single in the seventh inning gave the Fords an insurance run while Ott's two-run home run wrapped up the scoring.
Herring struck out six Shoremen hitters over 6 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and allowing an earned run, and picked up his first collegiate victory. Schmandt threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, scoring his first career save.
Villanueva and Ott led the team with two RBI each. Villanueva has a four-game hitting streak which includes five RBI, five runs scored and four extra-base hits. The Fords turned three double plays and stole two bases in the win.
Head coach Dave Beccaria's squad is now 10-17 overall and 6-8 in the Centennial Conference while Washington College is now 18-9 this season and 9-5 in the conference. The Fords will now travel to Franklin and Marshall on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.