BOX SCORE
Reading, PA (April 2, 2008) – The DeSales University baseball team opened up an early 4-0 lead after two innings but the bats went silent the rest of the way as Alvernia College rallied for eight straight runs and held on for an 8-5 win over the Bulldogs in a non-conference game on Wednesday afternoon.
DSU (11-10 overall) scored two runs in each of the first two innings as freshman Evan Zechman (Wilmington, DE/St. Mark's) knocked in one run in the first inning and sophomore Andrew Feher (Riegelsville, PA/Palisades) had a two-out, two-RBI single in the second inning to give the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead.
The Crusaders (18-6 overall) started its comeback with solo runs in the third and fifth innings and took the lead for good in the sixth when they scored three times and added three more in the seventh to take an 8-4 lead. Zechman hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to pull DeSales within three runs but a line drive double play after a lead-off single in the ninth ended any comeback attempt.
DeSales had just four hits over the last seven innings after recording four base knocks over the first two innings. Sophomore Ronnie Wentz (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley) took the loss for the Bulldogs, lasting just one inning allowing three hits and four runs.
Freshman Mike Newland (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley) and sophomore Andrew Kulhamer (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) each pitched well combining for seven innings scattering nine hits and allowing just two earned runs. Senior Andrew Heard (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield) led the offensive attack going 4-for-5 with a run scored, while Feher and Zechman each knocked in two runs.
The Bulldogs will return to action on Friday when they travel to Delaware Valley College for the first of three games this weekend beginning at 3:30 pm.
