FORT PIERCE, Fla. –
John Medvecky went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in, but Messiah defeated Albright 9-5 on Tuesday in a Commonwealth Conference game at the Lawnwood Complex.
John Griffitts had three hits and four RBI to lead Messiah, which used a three-run eighth inning to pull away from the Lions and claim the rubber game of the three-game series.
Messiah held a slim 6-5 lead entering the bottom of the eighth inning but plated three runs, including an RBI single by Griffitts, to stretch the lead to 9-5.
Albright, which dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play, banged out 12 hits on the day led by Medvecky.
Nathan Fretz also had three hits for the Lions and Gabe Santos picked up a pair of hits.
Dylan Boll,
Joe Pechulis,
Julian Cimino and
Brandon Triantos each had one hit for the Lions.
Doug Franks worked 3.2 strong innings in relief of starter
Daniel Louviaux. Franks allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out two in his time on the mound.
Albright jumped out to an early lead against the Falcons with a run in the first inning.
Medvecky hit a one-out double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored when Boll produced an RBI groundout staking the Lions to a 1-0 lead.
Messiah, which improved to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in league play, rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single by Griffitts.
Messiah took a 5-1 lead by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Griffits highlighted the inning with a two-run double.
The Falcons stretched the lead to 6-1 with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Albright got right back into the game with a four-run seventh inning.
With one out, Cimino produced a pinch-hit single to start the rally. After Cimino advanced to second on a wild pitch, Triantos drew a walk and Fretz reached on an infield single to load the bases.
Medvecky then ripped a bases-clearing triple to bring Albright to within 6-4. Boll then capped the inning with an RBI groundout that scored Medvecky to trim the lead to 6-5.
Albright will return to action on Wednesday (March 18) when it squares off against Western Connecticut State at 9:30 a.m. and St. Mary's (Md.) at 1 p.m.
