CHESTERTOWN, Md. – After clinching a spot in the Centennial Conference tournament with a doubleheader sweep on Saturday, the Haverford College Baseball team (18-18, 11-7 CC) fell to host Washington College (28-12, 9-9 CC) by a 5-2 final at Athey Baseball Park on Sunday afternoon. Junior Owen Plambeck recorded his ninth multi-hit game, notching a home run for a second consecutive contest, but a three-run rally for the Shoremen in the fifth inning helped Washington salvage a win on its Senior Day to split the home-and-home series.
The Fords added their 31st first-inning run of the season, as senior Ethan Lee-Tyson doubled with one out in the inning and came into score on a fielding error. Plambeck later singled in the frame, but Washington College starter Billy Benson (3-1) was able to wiggle out of trouble.
Junior Dylan Livingston (1-2) was stellar on the mound in the early goings, as he allowed just a first-inning walk to Aaron Barclay and a single from Chris Baker in his first three frames. Plambeck led off the fourth with his solo shot to left field, but Washington pulled back to within one-run as Jay Felts notched an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning.
Barclay doubled in the bottom of the fifth, giving the hosts a 3-2 lead as he plated a pair. Ryan Zwier followed with an RBI single into left. The Fords put two runners on in the sixth but left them stranded, and Zwier added an insurance run with a single in the bottom of the sixth, reflecting the 5-2 final score.
First-years Cole Bramhall and Eric Kopczynski joined sophomore Ryan Giovenco in relief, as the trio combined for the final four innings of the contest, allowing just four hits and no earned runs while striking out four.
Billy Benson was credited with the win for the hosts as he allowed just three hits and one earned run over his 5.2 innings of work. The Washington College bullpen pitched the final 3.1 innings without allowing a hit. Connor Morgan was credited with his first career save after a scoreless ninth.
Haverford now sets its sights to the Centennial Conference tournament, with an opening matchup at Franklin & Marshall now assured. First, the Fords travel to Gwynedd Mercy on Tuesday for one final regular season contest. First pitch is slated for 3:45 p.m., and the game will serve as a tune-up for Haverford's 13th trip to the Centennial Conference tournament in 15 seasons. The Fords will then travel to Lancaster for a Centennial Conference tournament first-round contest on Thursday, May 2. A first pitch time for that game will be finalized on Tuesday morning.