GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Albright baseball team concluded their MAC Commonwealth season series with Messiah as they fell 15-5 on the road on a rainy Friday afternoon.
With the loss, the Lions fall to 0-4 in conference action and 1-22 overall. Meanwhile, the Falcons improve to 5-1 in conference and 15-11 overall.
The Lions came out of the gates swinging with a strong offensive first inning.
Nick Sklenarik got on base for Albright after being hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Dylan Harlos then walked while
Will Algard reached on an error to load the bases.
Billy Bean tallied a sacrifice fly and an RBI as Sklenarik circled home.
Chris Thomas then doubled and brought home Algard and Harlos.
Ethan Karel capped off the Lions scoring in the first with a single that brought Thomas home and gave Albright a 4-0 advantage. Messiah responded in the bottom half of the first with two runs behind two hits and one error to cut their early deficit to just two runs.
The Falcons jumped in front in the bottom of the third as they tallied four runs on five hits and two error to grasp a 6-4 lead. Messiah had another big offensive inning in the fifth with three runs on three hits and one error, extending their lead to 9-5. The Lions snapped the run in the top of the sixth as
Eddie Meredith walked and stole second to lead off.
Jack Gilmer then walked to get on base.
Roman Berretta doubled to send Meredith home and cut the Lions deficit to 9-5. Unfortunately for the Lions, this would be their last run of the game as the Falcons tallied six unanswered runs to solidify their 15-5 conference victory.
Dan Stofko (1-5) receives the loss for the Lions behind 4.2 innings pitched and 29 batters faced. JJ Zirkle earns the win for the Falcons behind 3.0 innings pitched, 17 batters faced, and five strikeouts. Messiah also totaled 16 hits compared to Albright's five.
Albright will return to Kelchner Field tomorrow to host Stevenson in a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader at 12 p.m.
