Messiah 11, Lebanon Valley 10 (Game One)
 
LVC Lineup
1. Towers (RF), 2. DeClerico (3B), 3. Leri (1B), 4. Bulgia (CF), 5. Holdredge (DH), 6. Santoro (SS), 7. Smith (2B), 8. Hurd (LF), 9. Blair (C), Ward (SP)
 
Messiah Lineup
1. Bingaman (SS), 2. Roberts (RF), 3. Caras (1B), 4. Culver (CF), 5. Davis (C), 6. Wagner (2B), 7. Freed (3B), 8. Valentino (DH),  9. Zambrano (LF), Woodie (SP)
 
How It Happened
GRANTHAM, Pa. – In game one of this afternoon's MAC Commonwealth doubleheader, Lebanon Valley suffered a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to Messiah on the road. The Falcons' B. Davis hit a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh for the 11-10 win.
 
In the top of the first, Mike Bulgia got the Flying Dutchmen on the board early with an RBI-double to center field that scored Michael Leri, but in the bottom of the frame, Messiah's Caras and Davis each recorded RBI-singles to put the Falcons up 2-1 after one inning.
 
After the home team added another run in the bottom of the third, LVC came storming back in the top of the fifth and sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight runs to take a 9-3 lead. In that inning, Leri kicked things off with an RBI-single, followed by Bulgia's RBI-double to center. After back-to-back sacrifice flies by TJ Holdredge and Nico Santoro, Ethan Hurd singled home Conor Smith, and Luke Blair sent an RBI-triple to right field. Chris DeClerico then singled home Blair, and Leri had an RBI-knock to left field.
 
The Dutchmen held what seemed to be a comfortable lead, but Messiah kept chipping away and responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 9-6. In the top of the sixth, the Dutchmen got one back with one swing of the bat off Smith's solo home run to right field, the Falcons plated three more in the bottom of the sixth to come to within two at 11-9.
 
Messiah held LVC off the scoreboard in the top of the seventh, but in the bottom of the inning, Trent Culver walked and then stole second, and Davis homered for the walk-off win.
 
Inside the Numbers
 - DeClerico went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
 - Towers, Leri, Bulgia, Smith, and Hurd each recorded two hits.
 - Leri and Bulgia led with two RBI apiece.
 - LVC's Brendan Ward lasted just 2.2 innings and allowed two earned runs.

---

Lebanon Valley 8, Messiah 5 (Game Two)
 
LVC Lineup
1. Towers (RF), 2. DeClerico (3B), 3. Leri (1B), 4. Bulgia (CF), 5. Holdredge (DH), 6. Santoro (SS), 7. Smith (2B), 8. Mangold (LF), 9. Rickabaugh (C), Moore, Jr. (SP)
 
Messiah Lineup
1. Bingaman (SS), Roberts (RF), 3. Caras (1B), 4. Culver (CF), 5. Davis (DH), 6. Zercher (LF), 7. Johnson (RF), 8. Freed (2B), 9. Symonds (C), Weakland (SP)
 
How It Happened
In game two, LVC used a four-run first inning to power itself past Messiah 8-5 to salvage a split in this afternoon's doubleheader. After going 1-1, the Dutchmen now sit at 9-5, 8-2 MACC. The Falcons moved to 7-10-1.
 
Santoro opened up the scoring in the top of the first by drawing a bases-loaded walk that scored DeClerico. Next, Smith cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple down the right-field line. From there, Tommy Moore Jr. and Brandon Crews kept Messiah's offense at bay until the fifth inning. Before the Falcons finally scored, LVC added two more runs in the fifth thanks to Ethan O'Loughlin's RBI-single and Mitch Rickabaugh's fielder's choice.
 
Messiah answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, but Smith's RBI-double in the top of the seventh gave LVC more insurance. The Dutchmen allowed three in the bottom of the inning, but they were able to limit the damage and earn the 8-5 win.
 
Inside the Numbers
 - Smith went 2-for-3 at the plate with a career-high five RBI.
 - Santoro was also 2-for-3 at the dish with three runs scored.
 - Bulgia drew a pair of walks and scored twice.
 - Crews earned the win after tossing two innings and allowing one run.
 - Moore Jr. got the start on the bump and went three innings and didn't allow a run while striking out six.
 
Who's Next?
LVC returns to action this Saturday, April 10, when the Dutchmen travel to Chester for a doubleheader with Widener. First pitch of game one is set for noon.
 
Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC athletics.