Winter Haven, FL – The Williams Ephs (4-4, 0-0 NESCAC) fell to the Union Garnet Chargers (11-6, 0-0 Liberty League) on Tuesday afternoon.
The scoring started early, as Union's first four hitters all reached on singles, the last one driving in two runs off the bat of A.J. Cutler. However, Eph starting pitcher
Grant Greiner was able to limit the damage to just the two runs, showing his mental fortitude.
Williams was quick to answer with a two-out rally in the bottom of the first inning. Batting third,
Henry Juan drew a walk and stole second base, scoring on an RBI single from
James O'Connor. After a single from
Ben Swank and walk drawn by
Ryan Nakajima loaded the bases, O'Connor scored from third base on a passed ball.
Luca Lopetrone then stroked a sharp single to left field, driving in Swank. The Ephs led 3-2 after the initial frame.
Union would tie the game with an unearned run in the third after an RBI double from Andrew Keaveney. Greiner once again limited the damage and kept the Garnet Chargers scoreless for one more inning, ending a solid start with four innings pitched and two earned runs.
The top of the fifth marked
James Murray's season debut on the mound, where he walked the first batter but then showed off his electric fastball/slider combination with two strikeouts and a pop out. Both teams were kept off the scoreboard during the middle innings thanks to strong bullpen performances from each side.
Union took the lead for good in the seventh. After a single and two walks, pinch hitter Cooper Ames came to the plate with one out and hit into a fielder's choice, ultimately resulting in an unearned run and a 4-3 Union lead. The Garnet Chargers added another run in the eighth after once again loading the bases and scoring on a wild pitch with one out. They tacked on another in the top of the ninth on an RBI single from Dan Sheeran.
Nate Rosner led off the home half of the ninth with a double, but that was all for the Ephs. Brendan Reid earned the win for Union with four scoreless innings out of the bullpen, while
Oliver Rey took the loss for Williams.
Eph head coach
Bill Barrale remains optimistic about his squad, commenting, "The pitchers once again did a good job" and asserting that "the hitters are going to hit." Williams will be back in action on Wednesday morning, taking on Lawrence University at 9am in Davenport, FL.
