HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College baseball team (16–12, 5–5 CC) held off a late rally from visiting Ursinus (17–14, 4–6 CC) to secure a thrilling 13–12 win on Tuesday afternoon at Kannerstein Field.
Harry Genth led the charge once again for the Fords, launching a decisive three-run homer as part of yet another big day at the plate. He was supported by Jack Wallis, Anthony Runfola, Luke Treese, and Miles Prusek, who each recorded two hits. Drew Doyle earned his second save of the season, shutting the door in the ninth to thwart one final push from the Bears.
After Ursinus struck first with a run against reigning CC Pitcher of the Week David Bertz in the opening inning, Anthony Runfola answered with an RBI triple to tie the game at 1–1. In the second, heads-up baserunning by Genth forced a balk, giving Haverford a 2–1 lead.
The Bears responded in the third with a five-run outburst, fueled by a Jordan Williams three-run double, a Peter Balos sacrifice fly, and a two-run homer from Jude Gilhool, putting Ursinus up 8–2. They tacked on another in the fifth with an RBI single from Andrew Richter to make it 9–2.
Haverford's offense roared to life in the bottom of the fifth. Chuck Norton drove in Matt Dahl with an RBI single, then came around to score following a fielder's choice and a throwing error. A Miles Prusek RBI double brought the Fords within three, trimming the deficit to 9–5.
Ursinus added two more in the top of the sixth, stretching the lead to 10–5, but Haverford responded with an explosive eight-run bottom half. Jackson Sgro knocked in a run with a bases-loaded groundout. Luke Treese followed with a two-run single to make it 10–8, and Johnny Flieder tied the game with a two-run homer to left. Then, with two runners aboard, Genth stepped up and crushed a dramatic three-run blast to left-center, giving the Fords a 13–10 lead.
The Bears answered with two in the seventh, courtesy of RBI from Balos and Marco Maiulo, narrowing the margin to 13–12. Haverford threatened in the bottom half, but a strong throw from Brandon Sullivan cut down Sgro at the plate after a Jonny Flieder double, keeping it a one-run game.
Doyle worked a clean 1–2–3 eighth inning, just before a brief rain delay paused the game in the bottom half of the frame.
In the top of the ninth, Ursinus mounted one final push. After a leadoff walk, Sullivan advanced to third on a stolen base and a passed ball. With two outs, Gilhool drove a towering fly ball to deep center, but Daniel Rosman sprinted back and made the catch on the warning track to seal the win for the Scarlet and Black.
The Fords and Bears will meet again to wrap up the season series on Friday, April 18, at 3:30 p.m. at Thomas Field on the campus of Ursinus College.
