FORT MYERS, Fla. - Facing off with Western Connecticut State (2-2) in a seven-inning doubleheader, the Haverford College baseball team (5-4) ran its win streak to four, pounding out 20 runs to take 10-1 and 10-4 victories on Friday afternoon at Terry Park. First-year catcher Chuck Norton was an offensive standout with five hits in seven at-bats on Friday, while the pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts and just four walks over 14 solid innings.
Haverford 10, WestConn 1 (7)
The Fords struck for three first-inning runs off of Connor Gannon, banging out four hits in that first inning rally as Jack Wallis singled ahead of a double by Zach Crampton, a Zach Landry single, and a Zach Becker double into the gap. Haverford added four more runs in the second inning, as Pranav Rane and Harry Genth set the table for Jonny Flieder's triple and Wallis' double as suddenly Haverford was ahead 7-0 in the early goings.
Riley Grohowski was terrific for the Fords on the hill, as he logged a complete-game effort, allowing just five hits and an unearned run while striking out four and walking a pair. The sophomore looked the part of a staff ace in holding the Wolves off guard throughout the contest, mixing pitches effectively and flummoxing the lineup.
The Fords tacked on three more insurance runs in the sixth inning, with Daniel Rosman notching an RBI single to help higlight that frame.
Haverford 10, WestConn 4 (7)
In the second game of the day, Haverford turned to Wyatt Mattison on the mound. Mattison was a force as well, twirling six innings and striking out nine. Haverford stuck to a tried and true formula, adding early runs as a way to cruise to victory behind standout pitching.
The Fords were up 6-1 after five innings, with Flieder doubling in the second and Kendrick Curry II notching a single in the third inning. Norton joined the hit parade yet again in the fifth to plate an insurance run, and Kyle Beach and Norton both homered in the seventh as Haverford began to run away with the contest in a power-aided frame. After Mattison turned in a strong day of work, Jack Sampson got the seventh for the Fords, striking out one and allowing just one baserunner.
This recap will be updated with a more thorough picture of the contest once official stats are finalized.
Haverford has one more contest in Florida, taking on Baruch at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 11. The contest is slated for Terry Park before the Fords fly back to the Philadelphia region following the contest.