Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. – Freshman John Mentzer drove in the game-winning run with a single in the bottom of the ninth to lift Lebanon Valley to an 11-10 come-from-behind win over Ursinus in non-conference baseball action Monday afternoon at McGill Park.

Lebanon Valley (8-5) snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up its first home win of the season while Ursinus (2-13-1) lost its fourth straight game.

The Flying Dutchmen pounded out a season-high 21 hits, their best offensive performance since ripping 28 hits in a 31-11 win over Widener in 2003.

Trailing 10-8 heading into the bottom of the ninth, LVC rallied with five straight hits to end the game. Senior Ron Weaver and sophomore Dan Kelly got things started with back-to-back singles before freshman Adam Brossman laid a perfect bunt down the third base line to load the bases. Sophomore Richard Schwartz followed up a double deep to right, scoring Weaver and Kelly to tie it up.

Ursinus then brought in its leftfielder to use as an extra infielder, but Mentzer raked the first pitch over the shortstop’s head and Brossman trotted home with the game-winning run.

Schwartz enjoyed an outstanding day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with six RBI’s. Kelly was also 4-for-5 with a pair of runs scored while Weaver was 3-for-5 with three runs.

Junior Taylor Sgrignoli (1-0) threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the win. Freshman Ryan Smith (1-2) threw the final three innings and was charged with the loss for Ursinus.

Trailing 3-0 after three and a half innings, the Dutchmen erupted for 12 hits and eight runs over the fourth and fifth to take an 8-3 lead. The Bears rallied with a six-run sixth on the strength of four hits and five walks to take a 9-8 lead.

Ursinus added a run in the eighth to go ahead 10-8. Brossman, who entered the game at leftfield in the sixth inning, prevented further damage when he gunned down a runner at second trying to stretch a single into a double to end the inning.

Freshman Ben Christopher started on the mound for LVC and gave up six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three. Classmate Brad Brandt relieved Christopher in the sixth and yielded three runs on two hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning. He struck out two.

Junior Brian McFarlane threw 2 1/3 innings for the Dutchmen and gave up one run on three hits and two walks.

Freshman Pat Higgins started for Ursinus and was touched for eight runs on 14 hits. He struck out five.

Senior Scott Montgomery went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs for the Dutchmen while junior Jon Kelly was 2-for-5 with two runs. Mentzer finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

Lebanon Valley picks up its schedule on Wednesday, when it visits Rutgers-Newark at 3 p.m. in another non-conference game.

[Photo - Sophomore Richard Schwartz, who was 4-for-5 with six RBIs in Lebanon Valley's 11-10 win over Ursinus on Monday]

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