Albright 5, Lebanon Valley 4 (Game One)
LVC Lineup
Edwards (2B), Berry (1B), DeClerico (SS), Kiessling (LF), O'Shea (DH), Albright (C), Leri (3B), Drawbaugh (RF), Puglisi (CF), Marcelli (SP)
Albright Lineup
Fretz (RF), Storms (2B), Yordy (CF), Brescancine (3B), Beebe (DH), Gentry (SS), Krause (1B), Roth (C), Pennypacker (LF), Travis (SP)
How It Happened
ANNVILLE, Pa. – Lebanon Valley dropped a heartbreaker in game one of a doubleheader against Albright on Saturday afternoon as the Lions scored five in the top of the seventh to take a 5-4 lead which they eventually held on to. The Dutchmen fell to 20-15, 11-9 MAC Commonwealth, while the Lions improved to 11-25, 4-16 MAC Commonwealth.
Before the game, LVC honored its seven seniors in
Corey Sell,
Zac Edwards,
Casey Wall,
Ross Drawbaugh,
Philip Berry,
Michael Puglisi, and
Michael Houseal.
In the bottom of the third,
Philip Berry, yesterday's hero, singled home
Michael Puglisi for the 1-0 advantage, then in the bottom of the fourth, Drawbaugh ripped a single to right field to plate Marshall Kiessling and make it 2-0. Later in the fourth, Puglisi hit a single to left to score
Nick O'Shea and increase the Dutchmen's advantage to three at 3-0. Kiessling then crushed a ball to right center and over the wall for a solo shot and the 4-0 advantage, however Albright's comeback began in the top of the seventh.
Nate Fretz began the scoring with an RBI-single to right-center off starting pitcher
Joshua Marcelli, knocking him out of the game after an impressive effort.
Eric Marrero relieved Marcelli and later, Jeff Yordy hit a double down the left field line to clear the bases and tie things up at 4-4. Tanner Brescancine then singled home Yordy for the 5-4 advantage. None of LVC's runs that were given up in the first game were earned.
Inside the Numbers (Game One)
- Kiessling led the way offensively by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Puglisi went 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
- Marcelli went 6.1 innings on the mound and allowed no earned runs while striking out a pair.
- Albright's Connor Travis picked up the win after going six innings and allowing four earned runs. Logan Adams picked up the save.
Albright 3, Lebanon Valley 2 (Game Two)
LVC Lineup
Edwards (2B), Herring (RF), Berry (1B), Kiessling (C), Marcelli (DH), O'Shea (LF), DeClerico (SS), Holdredge (3B), Puglisi (CF), Houseal (SP)
Albright Lineup
Fretz (RF), Storms (2B), Yordy (SS), Brescancine (3B), Beebe (DH), Pennypacker (CF), Keller (1B), Daubert (C), Gantert (LF), Fisher (SP)
How It Happened
In the nightcap, the Lions edged the Dutchmen by just one run again, this time it was a 3-2 contest after Albright jumped out to a 2-0 lead. With the Lions up 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, LVC got one back when
Timothy Holdredge singled home O'Shea. After the Lions went up 3-1 in the top of the sixth, LVC made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh when Puglisi's single to right center brought home
Chris DeClerico.
The Dutchmen, however, were unable to complete the comeback and fell 3-2.
Inside the Numbers (Game Two)
- Holdredge went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Puglisi went 3-for-3 again and recorded six hits on the day.
- Albright's Tyler Keller was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
- Houseal got the start and was dealt the loss after tossing 5.2 innings while allowing two earned runs and punching out four.
- The Lions' Matt Fisher picked up the win after going five innings and allowing just one earned run.
Hello Playoffs!
Despite today's two L's, the Dutchmen have clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2014.
Who's Next?
LVC will be the No. 4 seed in next week's MAC Commonwealth Championship and will face No. 1 seed Alvernia at PEOPLEsBank Park in York, Pa. on Thursday at 4 p.m. Check back with GoDutchmen.com early next week for a preview.
