Box Score

READING, Pa. - After trailing by seven runs going into the final three innings, the Lions (5-21/2-11 CC) clawed their way back to tie the game at 9-9 in the bottom of the ninth. Unfortunately a lone run by Messiah College (13-13/4-6 CC) in the top of the tenth proved to be the deciding factor as the Falcons managed to pull out the 10-9 extra inning conference win Friday afternoon at Kelchner Field.

The late inning rally was fueled by numerous Lions including junior designated hitter and catcher Jojo Fischer who recorded back-to-back RBI doubles in the eighth and ninth frames.

Through the final three innings Albright tallied the game-tying eight runs on nine solid hits to all parts of the field. However it was an error in the seventh that truly changed the momentum of Friday's game. After giving up a walk and a single, sophomore Jon Raymond drove the ball directly to the third baseman. Looking to turn the double play, the third baseman rushed the play; there by letting the ball get past him, which in-turn loaded the bases.

After that two singles and groundout to the pitcher, allowed the Lions to cut Messiah's seven-run lead to four. In the very next inning the Lions evened the score at 8-8 on solid hitting and a crucial error by the Falcons.

Moving into the ninth, Messiah rallied to score just one run to take a 9-8 lead. After getting out of the inning, the Lions stepped up to the plate for what could have been their last time. However, Albright knew that they could battle back again, and with an RBI double by Fischer the red and white found them selves deadlocked at 9-9.

In the 10th, the Falcons led off the inning with a single by Adam Ranck who went 2-for-5 on the day. Ranck then moved over to third on a double by pinch hitter Jordan Snader. Representing the go ahead run, Ranck did not spend too much time at third, as he was able to tag and score on a sacrifice fly by Matt Turman.

Hoping for another comeback, the Lions stepped up to the plate once again. Unfortunately, Messiah pitcher Elliot Thomas did not make the same mistakes that the bullpen had made earlier as he retired the side to claim his first win of the year.

For the Lions, Friday's tough conference loss was handed to freshman Tyler Meckley, his first of the season. On the day the Albright's bullpen tallied six strikeouts, with starter Casey Lawrence earning four of them.

At the plate, Fischer ended the afternoon with a 2-for-4 performance which included the two RBI and two runs scored. Kyle McGee also had a hot bat going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored as well.

Justin Danser and Kevin Butler both went 2-for-5 as well on the afternoon and recorded a combined three RBI and one run scored respectively.

Messiah's West Hollenbach was solid all afternoon going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Sheldon Witmer recorded the game's only homerun in the third inning, which at the time made it 3-1 in favor of the Falcons.

Baseball will now travel to Grantham to face Messiah in a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for noon.