PHILADELPHIA – Host Arcadia University took both ends of a MAC Commonwealth baseball doubleheader from Stevenson University by scores of 12-6 and 3-0 Saturday afternoon at Erny Field.
In the opener, Stevenson (6-12, 1-5 MAC Commonwealth) was plagued by five errors that resulted in seven unearned runs for Arcadia (12-3, 3-0 MAC Commonwealth). The Knights blew open what was a 4-3 game with six runs in the bottom of the fifth, pounding out five hits and taking advantage of a walk and error.
Arcadia grabbed a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead before Stevenson scored three times in the top of the third. Freshman Brady Kessler hit a two-run single through the left side that scored senior Kevin Kopas and junior Billy Small. Kopas and Small worked back-to-back one out walks. A double by sophomore Connor Wasilnak down the left field line as junior Jake Dimon came in to score.
The hosts tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the third and took a 4-3 lead in the fourth.
Stevenson's other two runs came in the sixth as Kopas and sophomore Matthew Kerber both scored on wild pitches, two of three thrown in the inning.
Kessler and junior John D'Aquanno each had two hits in the opener as Stevenson was outhit 12-8. Freshman starter Zach Kaye took the loss, allowing seven hits and seven runs (four earned) in four innings while notching three strikeouts.
Both teams mustered just five hits in the nightcap, but Arcadia pushed across two runs in the second and one in the third. In the second, Drew Coisson hit a two-run double, while a sac fly by Justin Chasmar in the third made it 3-0. Wasilnak got the Mustangs out of further trouble in the third when he tagged Nick Cardace at second with two outs on a hidden ball play.
Stevenson got just two runners to second base in game two, one each in the sixth and seven innings. In the sixth, freshman Kevin Murray, Jr. reached on a leadoff walk and stole second before getting double off on a line drive double play. In the seventh, Wasilnak and freshman Alex Kidwiler had back-to-back two out singles.
Wasilnak had two of Stevenson's five hits in the nightcap. Sophomore lefty James Wiercinski went the distance and took the loss, allowing five hits and three runs (one earned) while fanning six. Kopas singled in the fourth inning to extend his hit streak to five games. He has hit safely in 13 of his last 15 games.
Stevenson returns to action Sunday when it travels to Bridgewater (Va.) for a 2:00 game.
