COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Visiting Haverford scored twice in the top of the 12th inning as the Fords (9-16, 5-7 Centennial) defeated Ursinus (15-10, 5-7 Centennial) 4-2 in a see-saw affair at Thomas Field in the back half of a two-game series.
The Bears twice rallied from deficits, and had a chance to win it in the ninth inning but could not get the winning run across. The Fords eventually pushed two across in the 12th and then sent the Bears down in order in the bottom of the frame.
Heading into the bottom of the ninth, Ursinus trailed 3-2 facing Haverford ace Tommy Bergjans. Bergjans, who threw ten innings and close to 125 pitches, gave up a single to junior first baseman Christopher Jablonski in the first part of the inning.
Jablonski was lifted for a pinch runner in Jake Banks, who advanced to second on a sacrifice by left fielder Timo Muro. Banks would advance to third on a single by infielder Vince Rondolone, who advanced to second on a throwing error, putting runners on second and third with one out.
Right fielder Austin Kurey would ground out to second, scoring Banks and tying the score at 3-all.
With a two-strike count, center fielder Jose Colon struck out but the third strike went wild. The Haverford catcher applied the tag ending the inning.
Trailing 4-3 heading into the bottom of the 11th inning, Ursinus got the lead off hitter on when Jay Farrell singled up the middle. After advancing to second on a sacrifice, he would score on a RBI single by Rondolone with one out. Kurey would hit into a fielders choice, as Muro would be thrown out at home.
In the 12th, Haverford designated hitter Matt Goss and shortstop Zach Taylor would score runs to give the Fords the lead.
For Ursinus, Rondolone would finish the day 3-for-5 with a run scored and RBI, while Jablonski would be 2-for-4.
On the mound, Ursinus used seven pitchers. Connor McCarthy took the loss as he allowed two earned runs in 1/3 of an inning. Bergjans struck out 17 in ten innings, while Patrick O'Shea pitched the final two innings for Haverford and got the win improving to 1-1.
For the Bears, senior Alex Manacher pitched four innings in relief, allowing just six hits and struck out six.
The Bears head to Johns Hopkins on Saturday.