CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Ursinus College baseball team was swept by Washington College on Saturday afternoon falling 5-3 in game one, then dropping a 6-5 decision in 11 innings in game two.
In game one, the Bears (5-12, 1-4 Centennial) nearly rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the sixth, as they plated three runs. After junior right fielder Garrett Smith (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesse) was hit by a pitch, he advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt. With one out, junior shortstop Brandon Sullivan (Glibertsville, Pa./Boyertown) reached on an error, which kept the inning going. Another Shoremen error on a hit ball by junior second baseman Lou Argentine (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) allowed Smith to score and Sullivan to advance to second. Senior third baseman Rob Vogt then singled to load the bases for junior center fielder Ben Gresh (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove). Gresh then hit a two-run single to make the score 5-3. However, the Bears stranded three runners to end the inning.
Junior lefthander Steve Christakos (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson) took the loss, falling to 3-4. In 4.1 innings of work, he allowed just two earned runs and struck out one. Freshman left hander Chris Ryder (Douglassville, Pa./Holy Name) pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing just three hits and two strikeouts.
Gresh finished 2-for-3 with two RBI in game one, while Vogt picked up the only other Bear hit.
In game two, the Bears fell behind 3-0 after the first inning, before freshman catcher Josh Schnell (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) doubled home Gresh in the top of the second to cut the deficit to 3-1. Ursinus took the lead in the top half of the third at 4-3, as Vogt had a RBI groundout and Gresh smacked a two-run homer to center, scoring himself and Sullivan.
Washington fought back with two in the bottom of the frame for a 5-4 lead, before Ursinus tied the score in the seventh when Smith scored a RBI groundout by Argentine. The game remained tied until the 11th, when
Washington used four straight singles to take the win.
Freshman right hander Steve Berardi (Hartsville, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) took the loss in relief of starter sophomore left hander A.J. Wright (Holland, Pa./Council Rock South). Wright went seven innings, allowing five earned runs, while striking out three. Berardi pitched three innings, strikeout on two. Smith, Sullivan and Gresh all finished with two hits in the second game, while Smith and Gresh had two runs scored.
Ursinus will play its home opener on Sunday, as they host Muhlenberg.
