Knights Bounce Back with 21-9 Win over Valley Forge

Box Score PHILADELPHIA, Pa.: After each team put up a pair of runs in inning number one, a Knight's hit-brigade followed in the next six, as Arcadia University toppled Valley Forge Christian College, 21-9 Tuesday afternoon, snapping a two-game skid to remain unbeaten at home. The Knights out-hit the Patriots 15-4 behind a perfect day for catcher Jerry Smith, who went 5 for 5 with 4 runs scored and 4 RBI.

Tested early, with the Patriots picking up two runs in the opening frame, Arcadia had to battle back from two outs away in bottom of the first. Valley Forge starter Joel Aponte tossed a base on balls to senior Sean Morris and Arcadia's veteran bats picked the Knights up right at that moment, using Smith's first of five hits, a drive down the right side to move Morris to third. It pays to take advantage of opportunities because a fielding error from the Patriots brought Morris home and Smith tied the game on a passed ball before a ground-out ended the inning.

Arcadia senior starter Adam Planamento turned a quick top of two by getting two Patriots looking at strike three, two of the senior's four strike-outs in three and one-third innings of work. Then they helped themselves to a 4-2 lead with RBI doubles from sophomore Taylor Schon and senior Kyle Jackson.

Planamento and his defense continued the course, turning a fast top of the three before giving the stage to their offense. Arcadia's order put up a 2012 single-inning, season-high 8 runs on 5 hits and 2 errors and they still left two on when the inning ended and Patriot starter Aponte retired. Valley Forge's four runs, also a season-best for the Knight's defense, as were their combined 10 strikeouts, 6 going to Planamento's fourth inning relief, first year lefty Matt Dwyer.

With a 12-2 lead, and Planamento all systems-go from the mound, the Knights stalled in the top of four, making two defensive errors and allowing six Patriot runners to score on just 2 hits.

Their 10 run lead now down to 4, Arcadia head coach Ken Spangenberg needed a spark and made a move to Dwyer with one out away. And he was impressive in his debut. The southpaw served two strikeouts to get Arcadia out of the inning and then unleashed three more in the top of the fifth, all three Valley Forge player's swinging on three, relegating the momentum meter to favor the Scarlet & Grey.

The Knights tacked on single runs in the fourth and sixth frames increasing their lead to 14-8. Valley Forge would muster up one last run on the visitor's side in the top of the seventh.

Three hits, five walks and 3 stolen bags allowed Arcadia to blast 7 more runs across the board for a 21-9 lead as game officials called today's non-conference contest due to darkness with two-outs down in the bottom of the seventh of nine scheduled.

For his efforts on the mound, Planamento earned his first win of the season. He allowed 1 hit and of the 8 runs scored in his three and one-third innings of work, 7 were unearned. He walked 4 and struck out 4. Dwyer finished the afternoon with a single run against him on 3 hits, walking 1 and fanning 6.

Joel takes the loss for Valley Forge (0-2) through 2.2 innings pitched, 7 earned, 5 unearned on 8 hits.

In addition to Smith's five hits, his returning teammates seniors Mike McElhatton, Kyle Jackson and sophomore Jay Zehring provided two hits apiece of the team's season high 15 hits. The trio also combined for 5 runs scored and 4 batted in.

The Knights base-runners collected ten stolen bags, a single-game season high in 2012. Junior Nick Petroski (1 hit, 2 runs), who was walked 3 times, and senior Marc Gottfried (1 hit, 2 runs, 2 RBI) stole three bases apiece.

Arcadia (2-4) turns right around to defend their home field tomorrow afternoon, hosting Washington College at 2:30 p.m.

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