Bats Get it Done Against Drew

Box Score PHILADELPHIA, Pa.: With a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, Arcadia University's bats came alive to score 8 runs in the frame, enough to stay ahead for good in today's 12-5 non-conference victory over visiting Drew University at Erny Field, where the Knights are winners of two straight.

Drew University's defense had to deal with six Arcadia players enjoying multi-hit games this afternoon, 19 total hits for the home team, while the Rangers offense faced the Knight's eight-man pitching carosel that allowed just 9 hits on the day.

Arcadia's defense also enjoyed a near perfect day, with just a single error to their credit and forced the Rangers to strand 11 base runners. Head Coach Ken Spangenberg appreciated his team's effort, noting, "It was good to see the guys come out and play another great game after our big win over the weekend against Alvernia." Arcadia improves to 4-2 at home and 6-10 overall. Drew drops to 6-5 overall.

Senior Mark Bowman was a perfect 3-3 with 3 runs and 2 RBI and also had a perfect day at shortstop, playing a role in 7 outs in the field. Sophomore Pat Kwaitkowski also tallied 3 hits (3-5) with 1 run and 2 RBI. Sophomore David Jacobs went 2-3 with 3 runs and 1 RBI, junior Jerry Smith 2-3 including a triple, with 2 runs, 1 RBI, while sophomore Jay Zehring went 2-4 with 1 run and 2 RBI. Sophomore Justin Simpson batted 2-4 including a triple, with 1 run, 2 RBI and a stolen base.

The Knights scored single runs in the second, third and fourth frames and gave Drew their first score in the fifth and another in the sixth but it would be the home half of the sixth that decided this one.

Leading off and batting clean up was Smith, who would single and triple in the inning, scoring on both as the Knights batted around the order. By the time Drew escaped, Arcadia has chased out Ranger starter Leo Ruiz and put a bruise on reliever Cody Cummings ERA, with 8 runs scored in the inning on 7 hits and 1 error.

Leading 11-2 after six, the Knights gave a run back to the Rangers in the top of the seventh but tacked on one final tally in the bottom of the inning as sophomore Brandon Martin drove in Bowman on a single down the left field line for a 12-3 Knight's lead.

Before Arcadia could finish them off, Drew benefited from a bases loaded single and tacked a second run before the top of the eighth was settled with the score reading 12-5 Knights. First year Matt Dwyer was the final pitcher for the Knights and closed out the game with a strike out on the final out in the top of nine giving Arcadia their second straight win over the Rangers in as many seasons.

First year Steve Sciortino got his first start and worked a one-hitter with 3 strikouts through the first two frames. Junior Jordan Hofferman worked a no-hit third (3 BB, 1 K) while senior Marc Gottfried's one-hit fourth (3 K's) helped to sustain the Knights lead, giving him his second win of the season (2-3). Jacobs (1.1 IP, no earned runs, 2 BB), sophomore Taylor Schon (0.2 IP, 1 hit, 1 BB), Zehring (1.0 IP, 1 hit, no earned runs), Kwaitkowski (1.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 BB, 1 K) and Dwyer (1.0 IP, 2 hits, 2 K's) comprised Arcadia's pitching committee.

The team prepares to face 2011 Commonwealth Conference finalist Elizabethtown College Blue Jays when they return to Commonwealth Conference play this Friday on the road. The Knights host the Blue Jays at Erny Field this Saturday for the series doubleheader.

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