HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College baseball team (11-13, 1-3 CC) was defeated in the second game of a home-and-home series with Ursinus (10-15, 2-2 CC), as the Friday game between the Bears and Fords saw Ursinus emerge victorious, with the visitors defeating Haverford by a final score of 11-6 at Kannerstein Field.
In the first inning, Haverford took an early lead as Harry Genth scored on an RBI groundout by Jack Wallis. Jonny Flieder advanced to third on the grounder, and Kyle Beach singled up the middle to bring him home. In the fifth inning, Haverford extended their lead yet again as David Rosman hit a towering home run to right field, nearly banging off the scoreboard perch, and bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of the Fords.
In the seventh inning, Ursinus began to rally back as Haverford ran into a spot of trouble. Starter Drew Doyle, who had been cruising up until that point, allowed a hit batsman and a walk to open the inning. Aidan O'Sullivan took over on the hill, and Dylan Runsdorf singled to load the bases. Jakob Cantor scored on a fielder's choice grounder, as a throwing error also brought in Andrew Richter. Will Kelley then grounded out to bring Dylan Runsdorf home, suddenly tying the score at 3-3. Ursinus took the lead in the same inning as Tom Snipes walked while Solomon Griffith and Snipes each scored on a single to left field by Peter Balos, making the score 5-3 in favor of the Bears.
Haverford managed to tie the game in the seventh inning as Chuck Norton hit a majestic home run to left field, bringing in Pranav Rane, who pinch ran for Zach Crampton after Crampton singled through the left side with one out. In the eighth inning, Ursinus once again took the lead as Will Kelley hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Cantor, while Snipes reached on a Haverford throwing error, plating Runsdorf for a 7-5 Ursinus advantage.
The Bears continued to build on their lead as Balos took another stellar turn at the dish, clubbing a grand slam to left field, bringing in four runs and making the score 11-5 in favor of Ursinus. Haverford managed to score one more run in the eighth inning as Zach Landry hit a triple to center field, bringing in Flieder, but Jared Minnibach worked around a single in the ninth to close things out for the Bears.
Ursinus' pitching was led by Casey Murphy, who tossed eight innings and allowed six runs, including two home runs, but struck out four Haverford batters in a winning effort. Minnichbach came on to pitch the final inning, working around a pair of baserunners. Drew Doyle started on the mound for Haverford, pitching six innings and allowing three runs, while striking out four batters. Aidan O'Sullivan, Ethan Goldstein, and Colin Lewis all logged relief innings for the Fords.
For Haverford, Zach Landry went 3-for-4 with a triple and an RBI, while Norton was 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Rosman, Genth, and Flieder all had multi-hit days as the Fords tallied 12 hits on the afternoon. Ursinus had several standout performances at the plate, with Balos going 3-for-5 with a game-best six RBIs, including the grand slam, and Runsdorf going 3-for-5 with two doubles. Snipes also had a solid game for the Bears, going 1-for-4 at the plate, with a home run and two RBIs.
The Fords now face an extremely quick turnaround, taking on Dickinson in doubleheader action in Carlisle on Saturday as Centennial Conference play continues. The first pitch at the Red Devils is slated for 12 p.m.