Game 1 Box Score  Game 2 Box Score

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – Junior Craig Denlinger (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) drilled three home runs, including an eighth-inning grand slam that broke open the first game, as Lebanon Valley earned a split with Elizabethtown College in a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Boyd Stadium.

The Flying Dutchmen won the opener 9-4 but lost the nightcap 8-6.

With its win in the second game, Elizabethtown (17-15, 10-8 CC) claimed the season series with Lebanon Valley (13-17, 9-9 CC). The Blue Jays also defeated LVC in Annville on Friday.

Denlinger had an incredible day at the plate for the Dutchmen, going 6-for-8 with eight RBIs and three runs scored. Junior Ron Weaver (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) also enjoyed a pair of solid performances and was 4-for-7 with three runs.

In the opener, LVC led 4-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh before the Blue Jays pulled even with a run to send the game into extra innings. Then in the eighth, the Dutchmen took the lead for good when senior Jeff Grieger (Rieglesville, Pa./Wilson) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs. Denlinger followed up with his grand slam to put the Valley up 9-4.

Etown threatened in the eighth against LVC starter Ryan Dalton (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom), as Jon Kalejta singled and stole second with two outs. But Dalton induced the next batter into a groundout to end the game.

Dalton (4-2) allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits and five walks while earning his fourth complete game of the season. He struck out five.

Denlinger was 3-for-4 with five RBIs to lead LVC while sophomore Matt Rich (Summerdale, Pa./East Pennsboro) also went 3-for-4, and he drove in a pair of runs as well. Grieger and Weaver each scored a pair of runs.

Matt Woehnker (0-3) suffered the loss in relief for Etown.

In the nightcap, the Blue Jays broke open a 2-2 game in the third inning, when they scored five times on three hits and two errors against Denlinger, who started on the mound.

LVC trailed 8-5 heading into the top of the seventh, but Denlinger made it a two-run game when he led off with his second solo homer of the game. But that's when Etown called on Andy Mees out of the bullpen, and Mees retired the Dutchmen in order to pick up his second save of the season.

Denlinger (2-2) pitched four innings and was touched for five hits and seven runs, although only one was earned. He walked five and struck out one.

Etown starter Steve Luongo threw six innings and picked up the win to improve to 4-0. He scattered 11 hits while walking two and striking out three.

Denlinger was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs while freshman Dan Kelly (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) and Weaver had a pair of hits apiece.

Lebanon Valley returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Franklin & Marshall College for one, nine-inning game starting at 1 p.m.

[Photo - Junior Craig Denlinger, who hit three home runs in LVC's doubleheader against Elizabethtown on Saturday]

-lvc-