FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Haverford College baseball team (1-3) opened up its annual spring break stint at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Sunday, splitting a seven-inning doubleheader against Alvernia at Terry Park as action in Southwest Florida began in earnest. Haverford took the first contest by a 5-1 final before the Golden Wolves rallied to take game two, 20-1.
Haverford 5, Alvernia 1 (7)
In the morning contest, The Fords registered the first win of the season with a solid all-around performance against a talented Alvernia side. Riley Grohowski twirled a strong five innings of work, scattering just four hits and one run over his stint on the mound to pick up the victory. Josh Fuller logged the final two innings in relief, notching a pair of scoreless frames.
Haverford struck for a pair of runs in the second inning as Jack Wallis singled with one out and Chuck Norton reached on an error. A wild pitch set the stage for Daniel Rosman to punch a two-RBI single into the outfield, giving Haverford the early lead against Alvernia hurler Jack Cossa.
Norton set the table for Zach Crampton in the fourth inning, singling and advancing to second on the throw before Crampton roped a double into the left field gap to plate the rookie. In the sixth, it was again Norton setting the tone for Crampton's offensive heroics as he walked ahead of the senior's two-RBI home run past the right-center field fence.
Zach Becker also roped two hits while Norton scored a game-best three runs. Haverford pounded out 10 hits in total.
Alvernia 20, Haverford 1 (7)
Alvernia struck early to sink the Fords, putting up 13 runs in the first two frames to cruise to victory in the afternoon game.
Harry Genth led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run while Jonny Flieder also doubled in the inning. Justin McAllister got the final 3.1 innings of work for Haverford, helping to settle things down a bit as he struck out four and allowed just one hit.
Jake Umans had a strong start for the Golden Wolves, frustrating the Haverford lineup as he scattered just three hits over his sixth innings of action, displaying some excellent command adding nine strikeouts. Logan Solomine tossed the seventh inning with a scoreless frame for Alvernia.
The Fords now have an off day on Monday before returning to action with a single nine-inning game on Tuesday at 9 a.m. against Muskingum (Ohio) at Terry Park.