EWING, N.J. – A back-and-forth contest slipped away late for the Haverford College baseball team (6-10) as TCNJ (9-10) used a decisive seventh inning and added insurance in the eighth to claim a 6-4 victory on Thursday afternoon at George Ackerman Park.
Haverford showed early sharpness offensively, working quality at-bats and applying pressure throughout against a deep Lions pitching staff that used eight arms on the afternoon. The Fords struck first in the second inning when Luke Treese jumpstarted the attack with a run-scoring triple to right, plating Will Schroen for a 1-0 advantage.
After TCNJ answered in the home half of the inning, Haverford reclaimed control with a two-run fourth. Treese again ignited the rally with a single before Kaden Van Kempen laced a double to put two runners in scoring position. Mauro DeCillis delivered the big swing, lining a two-run single to center to give the Fords a 3-1 edge.
The Lions responded immediately, capitalizing on a pair of baserunners and a balk to even the score at 3-3 after four innings.
Haverford continued to produce offensively in the fifth, regaining the lead behind Treese once more. The junior outfielder drove in Schroen with a double to left-center, finishing a standout day at the plate with three hits and two RBIs as the Fords moved back in front, 4-3.
On the mound, Haverford pieced together the game with a staff effort. Leo Barta and Ben Pew combined for 2.2 scoreless innings in the middle frames to stabilize the contest, allowing the offense to build its narrow lead.
TCNJ broke through in the seventh inning against reliever Holden Pawlak (0-1). A leadoff walk to Jesse Beer and a single by Jack O'Donnell set the stage before the Lions tied the game on a Haverford fielding error. Moments later, Brian Lovaglio delivered an RBI single down the third-base line to give TCNJ its first lead since the second inning at 5-4.
The Lions added an insurance run in the eighth, taking advantage of two hit batters and a throwing error to extend the margin to 6-4.
Haverford threatened throughout the afternoon but ultimately left 12 runners on base. The Fords drew eight walks and collected eight hits, yet were unable to deliver the timely hit in the later innings against the TCNJ bullpen. The best opportunity came in the sixth, when Haverford put runners on second and third with one out, but could not push across an additional run.
Jalen Maharaja closed the door in the ninth for TCNJ, inducing a key double play and strikeout to secure his second save of the season.
Treese paced the offense for the Fords, while DeCillis added two RBIs and Van Kempen contributed a double as part of Haverford's eight-hit effort. The Fords recorded five extra-base hits and reached base 11 times via walk or hit by pitch.
Haverford will look to bounce back as it begins Centennial Conference play on Saturday with a doubleheader against McDaniel. First pitch of game one from Kannerstein Field is slated for 12 p.m.
