Box Score

Lebanon Valley 3, Albright 2 (Box) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E LVC 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 9 0 AC 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 9 1 W: Houseal (2-1) | L: Mastria (1-1) | S: Webber (3) LVC: 8-5, 2-1 CC | Albright: 3-5, 1-3 CC

READING, Pa. - Zach Smith's go-ahead single in the 10th helped preserve a quality start by Mike Houseal, and Lebanon Valley edged Albright 3-2 to win their series opener.

The Dutchmen (8-5, 2-1 CC) will turn around and host the Lions (3-5, 1-3 CC) for two tomorrow at McGill Field as they look to get an early leg up in Commonwealth Conference play. It is the middle of a tough stretch for LVC, which beat Ursinus 5-2 on Thursday to open seven scheduled games over five days.

Houseal (2-1) threw nine innings with nine strikeouts and only one walk, while Lee Webber picked up his third save and second in two days with two strikeouts in the 10th. Smith went 4-for-5 with the game-winning hit in the 10th, and Jordan Higgins recorded a multi-hit game, his sixth of the season.

LVC put two across in the first, with Phill Dohner's lead-off single leading to a Devin Dellinger sacrifice fly later in the inning. Higgins smacked a double to right center to score Smith one batter later.

Albright cut the lead in half in the third thanks to Collin Hecker's triple, then tied it in the bottom of the seventh when pinch-hitter Joe Pechulis grounded out to score Max Dundore.

Houseal closed out regulation, working out of a jam in the ninth with runners on second and third with a pair of strikeouts. In the top of the 10th, Filer drew a lead-off walk, was moved to second on Mike Puglisi's sacrifice, then scored when Smith drove a single to right.

Webber came on to close the game and after issuing a lead-off walk, got an out off a sacrifice and rung up the last two batters he faced to secure the victory. Trevor Mastria (1-2) took the loss pitching the 10th, while Jared Neiheiser was the hard-luck loser after allowing two earned and striking out three over nine innings for the Lions.