March 30, 2007
Fords Defeat Muhlenberg in Slugfest, 14-12;
Crabtree Hits for Cycle in Centennial Win
HAVERFORD, PA - Haverford freshman first baseman
Robbie Crabtree went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI, hit
for the cycle, and broke a 12-12 tie in the bottom of the seventh
inning with the game-winning home run into the pinetum over the right
field fence to lift the host Fords (10-4 overall, 1-1 Centennial)
past Muhlenberg (4-10, 1-1), 14-12 Friday afternoon in Centennial
Conference baseball action. Senior outfielder Ben Field tacked on
another insurance run for the Fords in the bottom of the eighth inning
with a solo home run of his own. Senior pitcher Nick Stephens picked
up his first win on the season tossing 3 2/3 innings on the mound
in relief, while senior pitcher John Castronova allowed no runs over
the last 1 2/3 innings to earn his fifth save of the season.
Muhlenberg got on the board first with a run in the top of the first
inning to take an early 1-0 lead. The Fords responded with three runs
in the bottom of the second frame, highlighted by RBI singles off
the bats of junior Steve Andelman and freshman Jeff Rickert along
with a RBI triple to deep left center field by Crabtree. The Mules
knotted the game at three with two more runs in the top of the third,
but Haverford added three more runs in the bottom half of the inning
after a RBI single up the middle by freshman Jake Kaden and a two-run
dinger off the bat of senior catcher Kenny McAlpine.
Down 6-3, Muhlenberg scored seven runs in the top of the fourth to
take a 10-6 advantage. Haverford responded with six runs of its own
in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Dean Laganosky, Kaden,
Wilcox and Field each drove in runs for the Fords in the bottom of
the fourth to give Haverford a 12-10 lead. The Mules tacked on two
more runs in the top of the fifth to make the score even at 12.
The game remained tied until Crabtree rounded out the cycle with a
solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Field, who finished
the day 3-for-5 with his first home run of the season in the eighth,
gave senior reliever Castronova more than enough breathing room to
close out the game as he recorded the last five outs of the game.
Laganosky finished the day 3-for-5 with two runs scored, two doubles
and his 17th stolen base of the season. McAlpine ended up with two
hits, two runs scored and two RBI while Kaden also had two hits with
two runs scored, three RBI and a stolen base. Senior third baseman
Ryan Stephens scored a run while junior Drew Wilcox also drove in
a run in the game.
Crafty lefty pitcher Nick Stephens picked off three batters while
striking out three others in his win in relief.
Haverford will travel to Centennial foe McDaniel Saturday for a 1:00
p.m. doubleheader.
