Contributed

Top-seeded Pfeiffer defeated third-seeded Grove City College, 9-7, to capture the 2019 ECAC Division III Baseball Championship last Sunday.

In the opening frame, Grove City (28-16) wasted no time taking an early five-run lead. With the bases loaded, a walk drawn by Bobby Dulay and a passed ball scored two runs. Bobby Abbott then tripled to center to clear the bases and put Grove City up, 4-0. Abbott then scored on an infield single from Jesse Clary to lead, 5-0.

The Falcons (30-8) answered with four runs in the bottom of the second.

Kyler Fairchild scored two runs with a double to center field then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Bryan Kowalski scored Fairchild with an infield single to shortstop. Kowalski stole second and scored on Bryce Marsh’s double down the right field line to pull the Falcons within one run, 5-4.

Pfeiffer took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the third to make it, 6-4. Chaston Gordon and Blake Winebarger both drew walks and later scored on a passed ball and a wild pitch to put the Falcons up by one.

In the bottom of the fifth, Pfeiffer plated three runs on three hits to push the lead to four runs on Matt Striplin’s two-RBI double to left. Striplin then scored on a Marsh double to center field to put the Falcons up, 9-5.

The Wolverines got within two runs scoring twice in the top of the seventh including a solo home run from Bubba Hamilton and a run scored on an error, making the score 9-7.

Reliever Holden Carter picked up the win to improve to 7-1 for Pfeiffer. The senior threw five scoreless innings allowing two hits, four walks and striking out four.

The Falcons set a season-high with six doubles breaking the previous record of five set back on April 2 against Oglethorpe.

Marsh finished the day going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. He also picked up his sixth save of the season for Pfeiffer.

Teammates Winebarger and Striplin combined going 4-for-9 with two doubles, two RBIs, two runs scored, a stolen base and a walk.

Striplin and Kirby Lambert earned All-Tournament Team honors for their performances.

Pfeiffer’s Nick Richmond was named the MVP throwing a complete-game in the semifinals against Wilson College on Saturday striking out 15 batters allowing two runs on two hits.

– Pfeiffer Sports Information