FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Haverford College baseball team has fared pretty well in the Gene Cusic Classic, beginning with a 5-1 overall record in Fort Myers, Florida, in the opening week of the 2016 season. The Fords' wins have all been relatively comfortable, defeating their opponents by an average of four runs in their victories. Until Thursday. Haverford defeated Hiram College (0-6) on a walk-off bases loaded walk by freshman designated hitter Sam Partee to score junior Ben Verducci in the bottom of the ninth to cap off a successful rally. 

As the Fords trailed by one run heading into the final frame, Ethan Lee-Tyson sparked the ninth inning comeback with a leadoff triple to reach base for the third time in the game. Earlier, he led off the game with a single and was hit by a pitch later on. Lee-Tyson scored on the next at bat when Verducci hit a three-bagger to give Haverford back-to-back triples and tie the game. The next three batters (Matt Goss, Spencer Sohmer, and Partee) all walked, eventually loading the bases and advancing Verducci home for the win.

Haverford trailed by as many as three runs into the seventh inning. Tom Phillips and Jared Deveau combined to surrender just one run in five innings of relief.

Lee-Tyson finished the game 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two stolen bases. Goss went 3-for-4 including a triple with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. Verducci was 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. 

The Fords continue their opening stretch of games in the Sunshine State on Friday with a doubleheader against Lakeland College beginning at 9 a.m. They'll then wrap up the Gene Cusic Classic Saturday morning with a game against Bluffton University before heading back to Pennsylvania for their home opener against Immaculata on Tuesday, March 15 at 3:30 p.m.