CHESTER, Pa. - Despite a strong start and an early six-run advantage, Eastern Baseball faltered in the final six frames against MAC Commonwealth foe Widener. The Pride came roaring back, outscoring the Eagles 10-2, which included seven unanswered runs, to come away with a 10-8 victory. With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 0-2 in MAC Commonwealth play and 0-2 against the Pride this season.
The Eagles started hot, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning.
Brad Clemens opened the scoring on a Widener error, before
Draig Cooley followed with an RBI single, plating
Matt McHale for the two-run advantage. In the third frame,
Griffin Falco added to Eastern's lead with an opposite field grand slam, his fourth home run and second grand slam of the season, to make it 6-0 in favor of the Eagles.
The Pride cut the lead in half, scoring three runs in their half of the third frame, but
Sean Cottrell responded with a two-run single in the fourth, which gave the Eagles an 8-3 advantage. On the season, Cottrell now has a team-leading 26 RBIs.
After that single, however, the Eagles were held off the scoreboard the rest of the way, recording just two hits in the final five frames. While Eastern did put seven baserunners on via walks and Widener fielding errors, only one advanced past second base after the fourth inning. The Pride scored the final seven runs of the contest, which included four runs in the sixth frame, to secure their second triumph over the Eagles in the last four days.
Brad Clemens remained red-hot against Widener, recording two hits, scoring three runs, and reaching base in all five of his plate appearances. Falco drove in four runs, while McHale finished with a hit and a pair of runs scored.
Logan Klember added a hit in his three at-bats. On the mound,
Liam O'Connor was efficient in relief, giving up just three hits and no runs in his 2.1 innings of work. On the season, O'Connor has a sparkling 0.64 ERA, which leads all Eastern pitchers.
Eastern will be back at The Yard tomorrow for a pair of contests against MAC Commonwealth foe Hood. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon.
