PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Arcadia University baseball team staked itself to an early 10-0 lead on its way to posting a 14-8 MAC Commonwealth series-opening victory over visiting Stevenson University Friday afternoon at Erny Field. The Knights improved to 18-10-1 overall and 9-4 in MAC Commonwealth action, while the Mustangs fell to 15-16 overall and 6-7 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Knights got out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after senior
Nick Todero scored on a double-steal before Arcadia's offense erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the third to go up 10-0. Todero started things off with a two-run blast to right, while freshman
Anthony Zupito drove in two runs with a double down the left field line and junior
Justin Chasmar drove in the eventual game-winning run with his two-RBI single to right.
The Mustangs got on the board with three runs in the top of the fifth on an error and a pair of ground outs, and tacked on two more in the sixth to cut the deficit to 10-5. Jake Hall launched a solo homer to left to make it 10-4 before another error led to a run. The Mustangs were within three after putting up three more runs in the top of the eight, but the Knights answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame on, which included RBI singles from sophomore
Drew Coisson and freshman
Nick Ponente, for the 14-8 final.
ON THE HILL: Senior
Jason Goldberg evened his record at 3-3 for the season after allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts over six innings. Junior
Christopher Keesser sent the Mustangs down in order in the ninth to seal the win. Alec Romanowski fell to 4-1 after getting tagged for eight runs in two-plus innings.
ARCADIA AT BAT: The Knights pounded out 16 hits in the game, three of which went for extra bases, and four players had a stolen base. Each of Arcadia's nine starters had at least one hit. Ponente finished the day 3 for with a double, two runs scored and another driven in from the leadoff spot, while Todero was 2 for 4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored. Chasmar went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles, two RBI and two runs scored.
STEVENSON AT BAT: Hall finished 3 for 5 with a solo homer, while Matthew Kerber went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. John D'Aquanno was 2 for 2 with a pair of runs scored.