STEVENSON, Md. –  The Stevenson baseball team fell behind early but rallied back to put up runs during six of their eight offensive chances to take down local rival McDaniel College by a final of 13-5 on Monday afternoon in non-conference play at Sugar Field. 

Stevenson (17-18) was led by a 4-5 day by senior John D'Aquanno with three doubles, two runs scored, and a run batted in.  Classmate Jake Dimon added two hits including a triple and drove home four.  Sophomore Kevin Murray Jr. finished a perfect 3-3 with a two-bagger, a pair of walks, and scored four times.  Junior Connor Wasilnak also contributed a pair of knocks including a double as well as driving in two men.  Seniors Michael Rhodes, Michael Kelly, junior Matthew Kerber, and sophomore Alex Kidwiler combined for four hits, four runs scored, and three RBIs. 

McDaniel (10-16) struck in the top of the first inning against Mustangs freshman starter Michael Smell as Mike Dunn began the game with a bounding single through the left side of the infield.  The ensuing hitter was Antonio Rosanova who reached safely on a fielder's choice and was able to advance to second on an errant throw by the shortstop which also move Dunn up to third.  Kasey Nelson then plated the runner with a groundout to sophomore third baseman Mark Terrell.  Smell got the next two men on a popup and a strikeout to keep it at 1-0.  The Green and White wasted little time in answering back as with one away Murray roped a double to deep right-center and went to third on a groundout by D'Aquanno.  Terrell then stepped into the box and drew a free pass from Green Terror starter Zachary Glover.  On the fourth ball, Glover's pitch sailed to the backstop allowing Murray to race home.  The following batter was Dimon who blasted a triple off the wall in straightaway center-field scoring Terrell all the way from first.  Kidwiler grounded to short to end the frame with the hosts holding a 2-1 edge.  Smell struck out the side in order in the top of the second to provide the shutdown inning.  Stevenson added one in their half when with one away and a man on third Kelly knocked one to center to plate Rhodes.  The rally ended when Kerber hit into a double play to retire the side. 

With the home side in front 3-1, the visitors would chip away at the deficit in their half of the third after Brett Anderson was issued a free pass and went to second on a groundout by Rosanova.  That sent Nelson to the dish with two gone who ripped a two-bagger down the line in left scoring Anderson.  Evan Finch popped out to Kerber at second to end the threat at 3-2.  In the last of the frame, the Mustangs would extend their lead scoring four times.  With men at first and third with one away Dimon knocked one through the left side letting Murray come home and advancing Terrell up 90-feet.  Back-to-back wild pitches from Glover allowed for Terrell to score and put Dimon 90-feet from home.  Kidwiler went to first after drawing a walk which meant the end of the day for Glover who was replaced by Tim Griest.  The first person he faced was Rhodes and with him at-bat Kidwiler stole second moving two runners into scoring position with one out.  Griest got the batter watching strike three for the second out, but he would not be able to get out unscathed as Wasilnak roped a double to left clearing the bases.  Kelly bounced out to third for the final out with the Green and White ahead 7-2.  A one-two-three inning for senior reliever Kenny Armiger kept the score where it was heading to the bottom of the fourth.  The host would break things open in their half adding three more runs.  With two on and no outs, D'Aquanno laced a two-bagger down the left-field line plating Kerber and moving Murray to third.  After a walk to Terrell filled the bases Dimon delivered a sacrifice fly to center driving home Murray.  The next hitter was Kidwiler who went down swinging at strike three, following him was Rhodes who singled to right knocking in one to make it 10-3 at the end of four. 

The score remained that way until the sixth when each side picked up a run.  First in the top-half Rosanova began the inning with a double to deep center.  A groundout from Nelson moved him up a base for Finch who skied one into centerfield that was deep enough for the runner to race home.  Stevenson got the run back in their part of the frame.  The leadoff hitter Kidwiler ripped a double to dead center and went to third on a fly out from Rhodes.  That brought Andy Kwiatkowski in from the bullpen to square off with Wasilnak.  He greeted the new man rather rudely by stroking a single to right scoring the man from third.  Kelly and Kerber were both set down to prevent any more damage. 

The Mustangs added two more to their total in the last of the seventh when Dimon drove in a man when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Kidwiler plated D'Aquanno on a sacrifice fly to center.  Rhodes and Wasilnak each struck out to retire the side at 13-3.  With the same score heading to the ninth, the Green Terror would bring the margin under ten as Rosanova delivered a sac fly and Nelson smacked an RBI single to make the score 13-5.  Senior reliever Eric Prachniak induced a groundball out of T.J. McGuire which saw Nelson forced out at second to end the game.      

Stevenson starter Smell took a no-decision lasting three innings giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and struck out five.  Armiger (1-1) received the win going four frames surrendering one run, two hits, and fanned two.  Sophomore Jake Vanko and Prachniak each pitched one inning in relief.    

The Mustangs will have little time to enjoy this victory as they are right back in action tomorrow Tuesday, April 24 as the Green and White will face off with Mary Washington University in non-conference play at V. Earl Dickinson Stadium in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  First pitch against the Eagles is set for 3:30pm.