ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Baseball got a pair of solid relief outings in the middle of the game, but the visiting Swarthmore College Garnet scored four eighth-inning goals to earn a 10-4 win.
Henry Hutchinson and
Logan Culp pitched 4.2 innings without allowing an earned run.
The Garnet opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning and two runs with no outs in the second. Hutchinson came on with one out and runners on first and second. The seniors second pitch resulted in an inning-ending 6-3 double-play.
The Eagles scratched out a single run on a two-out single from
Connor Schilling in the bottom of the second.
Brian Lang opened the inning with a clean single through the left side and moved into scoring position on bunt single from
David Hunsberger. Schilling pushed a single through the right side for the RBI.
Hutchinson worked around a walk and a hit batsman with another inning-ending double-play to hold the Garnet to four through the third and struck out the final two hitters of the fourth for another scoreless frame. Hutchinson gave way to Cup after the lead-off hitter in the fifth reached on an error. Culp allowed two hits, but a second error allowed the second run to score, and the Eagles trailed 6-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth.
Leyton Bamesberger led of the Eastern fifth with a walk and moved to second on a single up the middle by fellow first year
Camden Angell. With wild pitches and throwing errors, Bamesberger, Angell, and
Matt McHale all scored without another ball being put in play in the inning.
Though the inning lacked style, it closed the gap to 6-4 and put the Eagles back in the game.
Culp threw four pitches to retire three in the top of the sixth, but the Eagles couldn't take advantage of a lead-off single Barks in the bottom of the inning when Schilling hit a sharp ground ball to third for a double-play.
The game came unglued for the Eagles in the eighth. After a lead-off single and a passed ball, the Garnet elected to sacrifice. It seemed the Eagles got the out at first, but the infield umpire ruled that Hunsberger bobbled the ball and called the runner safe. By the time the smoke had cleared, the Garnet led 10-4.
Eastern had two hitters reach in the eighth, but the rally ended when Angell hit a solid line drive that the Swarthmore shortstop caught for the third out of the inning.
The Eagles (2-15) are slated to open their MAC Commonwealth series at Albright on Friday, but as is normal for late March, weather will be a big question. Check Eastern Athletics social media accounts and this website for updates.
