Knights Win 6-5 on Walk-Off Walk Over Lebanon Valley

Box Score Photo Gallery

PHILADELPHIA, PA: Down one in the bottom of the ninth, Arcadia University's Mike McElhatton '12 drove in the game tying run, as Lebanon Valley reliever Zack Rex loaded the bases with two outs away and set the stage for Brandon Martin '14 who, with a thunderous home crowd behind him, drew a walk-off walk to give the Knights a magnificant 6-5 win in today's Commonwealth Conference series opener against the Dutchmen.

With today's win, the two teams sit in a deadlock for fourth place in the league standings at 3-4 with the series doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow in Annville, PA. Arcadia improves to 6-3 on their home Erny Field and 8-13 overall while the Dutchmen drop to 11-10 on the season.

Lebanon Valley loaded the bases in the top of the ninth in time for Arcadia reliever Steve Sciotino '15 to stave off any further damage on the scoreboard and saw his ERA drop to 3.14 after he pitched a flawless frame to maintain Arcadia's one-run deficit, dealing two walks and a strikout. His offense paid him back for his efforts on the mound in the home half, to give Sciortino his first win of the season when Martin's walk-off walk brought home Taylor Schon '15 as the game deciding run.

Arcadia out-hit the Dutchmen 13-7 at the dish as five Knights enjoyed a multi-hit afternoon.

The Knights capitalized on two early LVC errors in the bottom of the first to take the game's first lead.  Justin Simpson '14 singled up the middle scoring Kyle Jackson '12 who reached on an error to lead the inning off.

The Knights one-run lead stood through the second and third when the Dutchmen took a 2-1 lead, scoring two runs on 2 hits and an Arcadia error in the top of the fourth . With runners on first and second, a fielder's choice led to a tag out by David Jacob's and the Knights were out the inning without any further damage and got both scores back in the home half off a two-run triple to right from Martin to go ahead 3-2.

The Dutchmen rallied for two runs in the fifth to go back ton top 4-3.

It remained a 4-3 Dutchmen advantage through the next two frames despite the Knights threatening in the bottom of seven. A two-out double to left from Jerry Smith '12 put runners on second and third but a ground out left them stranded still in a one-run hole.

The squads traded single runs in the eighth. After LVC went ahead 5-3,  Arcadia countered, using a deep fly-out to center from Jackson that allowed Jay Zehring '13 to score. Down 5-4 to start the final inning, the Knights remained on the hunt and delighted the home crowd with a momentum-stealing defensive half that set the stage for their walk-off victory.

Sciortino took to the mound in relief after the Dutchmen got a man on and immediately earned a confidence boost by fanning his first batter. His defense provided out number two, then Sciortino dealt two walks to load the bases. But a little bit of luck goes a long way as the Knights exited the inning on a ground out to second and looked to their offense to take them to promise land.

After Rex tossed a lead-off walk to Simpson, one of four base on balls Rex would deliver in the frame, Simpson stole second and advanced to third on a long fly out to center from Smith. Rex then walked Jacobs before McElhatton's single brought Simpson home, tying the game at 5-all. McElhatton's single moved Schon, as Jacob's pinch runner, to the hot corner to load the bags. Bowman then worked Rex all the way to a full count, but was send back to the dugout swinging on strike three. But the Knights avenged on their next plate appearance, using Rex's fourth walk of the inning to bring in Schon much to the elation of the Arcadia dugout and crowd.

Jackson, Simpson, Smith, Jacobs and Martin each finished with 2 hits to pace Arcadia. Starter Steve Romond '12 was charged with 3 runs on 5 LVC hits through 4 and one-third innings of work. Tyler Guentter '13 no-hit the Dutchmen through two and two-thirds while Matt Dwyer '15 gave up one run on two LVC hits through one inning on the mound.

Tomorrow's first pitch is slated for 12 Noon. Weather-related changes will be announced here if necessary.

Print Friendly Version