Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
ANNVILLE, Pa. – Senior Jeff Grieger (Rieglelsville, Pa./Wilson) went 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBIs and the Lebanon Valley College baseball team split a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader with Widener University Sunday afternoon at McGill Park.
Widener (7-12, 2-4 CC) won 8-7 in the opener but Lebanon Valley (4-10, 1-5 CC) came away with a 7-5 win in the nightcap to earn its first Commonwealth Conference victory of the season and snap a six-game losing streak.
In the opener, LVC trailed 8-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh but put together a rally and had the winning run on first. Sophomore Jon Kelly (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and freshman Jared Smith (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra) ripped a two-out, RBI-single to make it a one-run game. But that's when Widener called on junior Tony Meccariello (Philadelphia, Pa./St. John Neumann), who struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save.
Grieger finished 2-for-2 with three runs in the opener while junior Craig Denlinger (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) had two hits and two RBIs. Kelly was 2-for-3 with four RBIs while Smith went 2-for-4. Junior Scott Montgomery (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) added a pair of RBIs.
On the mound, starter Tom Pletcher (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) threw 6 2/3 innings to pick up the win. Pletcher (2-3) allowed 11 LVC hits and struck out six. Sophomore starter Dennis Reilly (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) suffered the loss for the Valley. He gave up nine hits while walking six and striking out one. He dropped to 0-2 on the season.
In the second game, LVC never trailed after jumping out to 5-0 lead over the first five innings. Denlinger started on the mound for the Dutchmen and threw 5 2/3 innings while earning the win. He gave up five hits and two runs, walked two and struck out two to improve to 1-1.
Freshman Taylor Sgrignoli (Enola, Pa./East Pennsboro) threw the final 1 1/3 innings to earn his first collegiate save for LVC. He allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out one.
Freshman starter Kevin Paul (Media, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) lasted just one inning for Widener and was charged with the loss.
Montgomery was 2-for-3 with two hits for the Dutchmen while Grieger and Long each ripped a pair of hits. Freshman Dan Kelly (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) added two runs and two RBIs.
Lebanon Valley returns to action on Tuesday, when it hosts Division II Millersville University at 3 p.m.
[Photo - Senior Jeff Grieger, who was 4-for-5 in Lebanon Valley's doubleheader against Widener on Sunday]
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