FORT MYERS, Fla. – George Hatamiya's sacrifice fly provided the game-winning RBI for Haverford College in its 2-1 victory over Muskingum University on Monday afternoon, earning the Fords a split on the day after the Muskies took the opener of the doubleheader, 4-0, in non-conference baseball action at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.
The low-scoring twinbill leaves Haverford with a 4-4 record while Muskingum moves to 2-6.
The Fords picked up both of their Game 2 runs in the bottom of the third inning, overtaking the Muskies who had scored one run in the top of the first off Haverford starting pitcher Stephen Ridings.
Thomas Vollaro's lead-off single started Haverford's third with Jamie Ulrich then working for a walk to put runners at first and second. Nick Miranda reached base safely with an infield single that loaded the bases with no outs.
The next batter, William Bannard, was hit by a pitch pushing home the tying run in Vollaro and then Hatamiya lofted a fly ball deep enough to center field for Ulrich to tag up and score what would prove to be the game-winner.
Ridings limited the Muskies to that one early run and surrendered only four hits total without servicing up a walk. He also fanned two in his three innings of work on the mound.
Clay Bloszies took over for Ridings to start the top of the fourth and scattered five hits and a walk over three innings while holding Muskingum scoreless. Patrick Falkoff came in to pitch the final inning and earned the save after allowing only a pair of two-out singles.
Friday's opener was a quiet one for the Fords' bats as Austin Miller hurled a complete-game shutout for the Muskies, giving up just a pair of singles, one by Sam Kane to lead off the second and the other by Casey Fox with one out in the seventh.
Miller's stellar outing spoiled a strong day from Haverford freshman Anthony Rizzo, making the second start of his collegiate career. Rizzo went six innings and gave up four runs -- three of which were unearned -- on seven hits and a pair of walks while fanning three.
The Fords' spring trip concludes Saturday morning with a 9 a.m. game against Fredonia State.