HAVERFORD, Pa. - A late surge brought the Haverford College baseball team (6-9) within striking distance, but the rally fell just short in a 7-5 loss at Widener (7-9) on Tuesday afternoon.
Trailing 7-0 entering the seventh inning, Haverford mounted a spirited comeback that brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth, highlighting a resilient offensive push after being held scoreless through the first six frames.
Widener built its advantage early with timely hitting. The Pride struck first in the opening inning on a wild pitch before adding two more in the second on an RBI single from Braedyn Clinton and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Bauerle.
A bizarre sequence unfolded in the top of the third inning with one out, halting what initially appeared to be a fourth home run in two days for Jackson Sgro. Sgro launched a towering drive over the left-field fence and began circling the bases, but after rounding second, he returned to touch a missed first base. An out call appeared to be made in accordance with NCAA OBR Rule 8-6-a-3, Note 2, which states that once the ball is dead, a runner who has already advanced to and touched a base beyond a missed base may not return to correct the mistake. Because Sgro had passed second base before the issue was recognized, he was not permitted to return to first, resulting in the out despite the ball leaving the yard.
A two-run fifth inning, keyed by a Brandon Yoder triple and a Brian Fitzpatrick double, extended the Widener margin to 5-0, and Clinton's solo home run in the sixth pushed the lead to 7-0.
The Fords broke through in the seventh inning, beginning with Mauro DeCillis reaching on a hit by pitch. He stole second and Jack Phiel walked. The pair advanced into scoring position and DeCillis scored on a wild pitch. Haverford continued to apply pressure as Miles Prusek lined an RBI single to right, and Cole Roman followed with a run-scoring fielder's choice to trim the deficit to 7-3.
Haverford's persistence carried into the ninth. With one out, Sgro connected on a long drive to the wall that resulted in a double. Prusek walked, and with two runners aboard, Roman delivered again, driving a double to left-center that plated both Prusek and Sgro to cut the lead to 7-5. Ryan Field then singled through the right side, but the Fords could not complete the comeback as Widener closed out the contest with a fielder's choice.
Despite having the home run disallowed, Sgro paced the Haverford offense, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a double. Prusek also collected two hits and an RBI, while Roman drove in a team-high three runs, including the pivotal two-run double in the ninth. Behind the plate, Field added three hits in a strong 3-for-5 performance.
On the mound, Colin Lewis (1-1) took the loss, allowing three runs over three innings. The bullpen provided steady work down the stretch, with Drew Doyle tossing two scoreless innings to keep the Fords within reach and set up the late rally. Hayden O'Neil went four innings for the Pride, striking out five while allowing four hits.
Haverford returns to action Thursday at TCNJ. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Ewing, N.J.
