Ryan Doran did all he could do. The sophomore pitcher/right-fielder went eight strong innings with five strikeouts and only one earned run allowed, but it proved to not be enough. 

The Eagles had scratched together a three-run lead with a manufactured run in the first, an RBI single from Kenny Long in the second to take a 2-1 lead, and another piece-work tally in the sixth. The strong starting effort went for naught as Haverford touched up the Eastern bullpen for eight two-out runs in the ninth inning.

The Haverford rally began with a walk and an error. After a strike out for the second out of the inning. Dean Lagonosky gave the Fords a lead with a bases-loaded three-run double. The visitors then reloaded the bases and Robbie Crabtree took advantage of the short center field fence with a grand slam to lift their lead to 9-3.

Mike Santello connected for his second home run of the year in the bottom of the inning, but the rally only plated a single run. The Eagles' second baseman finished the day two for three from the plate with a walk. For the year, Santello has played error-free ball in the field and is reaching base nearly three times in every five appearances (.593). He has also knocked in 13 runs. 

The Eagles still sit at 4-2 in PAC play and head into this weekend's series with Gwynedd-Mercy with the several rested arms. Despite the difficult loss, Doran's quality outing bodes well for the Eagles as they move toward their end of the year push.Eastern travels to Gwynedd-Mercy for a single nine-inning affair on Friday before hosting a doubleheader on Saturday. 

Box Score