HAVERFORD, Pa. – After losing the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Susquehanna University by one run, 8-7, the Haverford College baseball team did not take any chances in Game 2 defeating the Crusaders 15-1.
Jeff Butera continued his torrid start to the season for Haverford (7-5) with a 5-for-9 day. Butera drove in three runs with two home runs in the nightcap and scored six runs on the day.
In Game 2 of the doubleheader the Fords had an explosive fifth inning tallying seven runs. Left-fielder Jake Kaden set the pace with a beautiful double down the left field line. Butera sent Kaden home with a two-run homer. Haverford loaded the bases for right-fielder Bobby Bailey whose single drove in two runs. First baseman Chase Kennedy then scored from third on a wild pitch. Shortstop Charlie Carluccio hit a double that landed at the fence in left giving Louis DeRosa plenty of time to score from second for the final run of the inning.
In the sixth, Kennedy knocked in third baseman Mike Galetta with an RBI double. Bailey then singled allowing Kennedy to score.
Two more Haverford runners crossed the plate in the seventh. Butera hit his second round-tripper of the contest. Following Butera's blast, Alex Hudak hit a triple. Hudak then scored on a Galetta sac fly for the final run of the game.
Every member of Haverford's starting lineup had at least one hit in the blowout. Carluccio, Butera, Galetta, Kennedy, Bailey and Bobby Hubley all had multi-hit games for the Fords. Galetta and Kennedy both went a perfect 3-for-3 and Bailey went 2-for-2. Butera, Galetta and Bailey each had three RBIs in the contest.
Starting pitcher Bryan Henrick (1-0) was lights out for the Fords. The lefty went 7.0 innings and allowed just two hits while fanning seven batters. After giving up a run in the second, Henrick went on to retire the final 13 batters of the game.
The two teams seemed evenly matched as they exchanged the lead throughout Game 1; however the Crusaders came out on top.
With two outs in the bottom of the first, catcher Jeremy Zoll singled with a rocket to right field knocking in Kaden while Butera scored from first on a throwing error by the right-fielder. Zoll had a big game for the Fords going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Susquehanna's bats came alive in the third and they scored four runs off starter Stefan Pappius-Lefebvre. After stealing second to put himself in scoring position, Susquehanna third baseman Zack Brigman scored on center fielder Ken Kayama's double down the left field line. Designated hitter Chris Price hit a no-doubt homer to center to drive in three more runs for the Crusaders. Price finished the game 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored.
Haverford first baseman Jake Chaplin refused to let Susquehanna keep their lead for long singling to center field in the bottom of the third. His hit allowed Zoll and third baseman Mike Galetta to score tying the game at 5-5.
The score remained tied until the seventh when Susquehanna resorted to using the small ball. The Crusaders were able to score three runs on four singles and a sacrifice bunt off Carluccio (0-1).
Haverford's seventh-inning rally almost allowed them to overcome the Crusaders, but they fell one run short.
Chaplin, Zoll, DeRosa and Butera had multi-hit games for the Fords. Haverford reliever Colin Sarafin threw 4.0 scoreless innings in the loss.
The Fords return to action Tuesday opening Centennial Conference play at Ursinus College. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
