GETTYSBURG, Pa. - The Haverford College baseball team (18-19, 8-9 CC) dropped both ends of a rare Thursday doubleheader to Gettysburg (19-20, 6-11 CC) at Kirchhoff Field, storming back to tie the Bullets 6-6 in the ninth inning of game one before Gettysburg rallied for a 7-6 walk-off victory. In game two, the Fords scored first, and later tied the score at 3-3 late, but Gettysburg did enough to come away with a 7-3 win to sweep the doubleheader, which was moved up two days due to the questionable weather forecast for the weekend.
Gettysburg 7, Haverford 6
The Fords plated two runs in the top of the first inning without the benefit of a hit. Daniel Rosman was hit by a pitch, and Harry Genth then reached on an error as Rosman scampered to third. Jack Wallis drilled a fly ball to center for a sac fly, and Kyle Beach walked. Becker bunted a pair into scoring position, and Norton followed with a walk to load the bases. Jonny Flieder then walked with the bases loaded for a second run in the frame.
Gettysburg got one back against reigning Centennial Conference Pitcher of the Week Riley Grohowski in the bottom of the first, but Haverford responded in the third, again plating a run without a hit as Kyle Beach walked with one out and Zach Becker later reached on a fielder's choice. Flieder scored on an error for the third run of the contest.
In the bottom of the third, Gettysburg responded to take its first lead of the game. Kyle Miller was hit by a pitch and Matthew Peipher drilled a single. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, and Tristan Neels then punched an RBI single to cut the Haverford lead to just one at 3-2. After Mabret Levant was hit by a pitch, JR McCloskey then singled to plate a pair giving the Bullets the lead for the first time.
A pair of insurance runs in the sixth extended the lead to 6-3, but Haverford got back within two as Pranav Rane added an RBI single in eighth. The Fords added a last-ditch rally in the ninth inning against closer Tyler Lizell. Jack Walls poked a single into right field with one down, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two down, Zach Becker reached on an error that plated Wallis to trim the lead to just one at 6-5. Flieder then singled into center, tying the score at 6-6 entering the bottom of the ninth.
Emmanuel Ajewole opened the bottom of the ninth frame with a walk, and Mark Seibert followed with a walk of his own, setting the stage for Preston Toothman to knock an RBI single into center, scoring Ajewole for the winning run and a 7-6 victory.
Ethan Goldstein tossed the final 2.2 innings, surrendering just two hits and striking out a pair after Grohowski logged the first 5.1 innings, striking out one and scattering nine hits. Haverford tagged reliever Ryan Wootten for three hits and an earned run, but ultimately came up short in a contest that did not feature an extra base hit.
Gettysburg 7, Haverford 3
In game two, Haverford again scored first, plating the opening run on Zack Crampton's RBI double in the second inning. Gettysburg had an immediate answer, tying the score in the bottom of the inning. Toothman walked and Seibert singled before Tristan Neels loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. Aaron Kirby lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the score at 1-1.
Gettysburg added two more in the third, with David Preziusio delivering an RBI single in the frame, but Haverford had another rally in the fifth, tying the score at 3-3. In that inning, the Fords loaded the bases with three consecutive walks before a balk brought home Haverford's second run of the contest. An RBI groundout off the bat of Rosman tied the scored heading into the latter innings.
A sixth-inning Gettysburg rally gave the hosts the lead for good as Seibert singled and came home on three consecutive wild pitches. Aaron Kirby then doubled, and McCloskey singled to put the Bullets up 5-3. Matt Nichols later drilled a single through the right side, and Jack Burke delivered a sacrifice fly to reflect the 7-3 final.
Chuck Norton had a two-hit day for the Fords, while Crampton, Becker, and Harry Genth each notched hits of their own. Seniors August Williams and Mitchell Pagano teamed up to pitch the final 2.2 innings without allowing a hit.
Wyatt Mattison started for the Fords, striking out three in his 5.1 innings of work. Connor Stewart was credited with the win in relief for the hosts after tossing three scoreless innings. Connor Sikora logged a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.
Haverford now returns to action tomorrow, weather permitting. The Fords will battle with the rival Swarthmore Garnet at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Kannerstein Field in the regular season finale for both teams. The Fords must secure a victory in order to stay alive in the Centennial Conference playoff race.