The navy and gold baseball team got off to a cold start on a blustery, rainy Sunday afternoon at Dover City Park, as they spotted visiting Bethany College a 6-0 lead before their own offense finally warmed up only to fall just short losing 7-6 in a nine-inning game.
The down but never out Golden Eagles (2-6) didn't waiver and resurrected themselves by plating six runs in the home half of the seventh inning, tying the game at 6-6 and chasing the Bisons middle relief pitchers.
Steve Michniak led off the Eagles seventh with a single followed by a Brandon Troyer base on balls, while an Evan Klar single brought home KSU Tusc's first run. Blake Alexander whacked a double over the center fielder's head to score two more runs with nobody out as the Bison lead was halved 6-3.
Following a strikeout, Charlie Drumm safely reached first and moved Alexander to third on a fielder's choice bunt to the pitcher. Alexander stole home on a wild pitch and Drumm moved to third as the Eagles threat continued trailing just 6-4. Caleb Campbell walked to put runners on the corners, before Cole Lancaster blasted a double to center field on a 1-2 count to tie the game at 6-6.
The Eagles collected four of their six-hit game total during the rally.
In the top of the ninth the Bison smacked three singles through the infield. The first runner stole second base and moved to third on the second hit. He raced home on a passed ball to account for what would be the game's winning run. In what was a bang-bang play at the plate, Blake Alexander chased down the loose ball and tossed it to pitcher, Evan Klar, who was coverning the plate. Klar caught the ball and seemingly waited for the Bethany runner to slide. It appeared that the runner slid into the tag, but was called safe to give the Bison the upper hand before the side was retired with two runners stranded.
Still, the Eagles had a chance to either win or score a game tying run in the bottom of the inning. However, they stranded two runners in scoring position after Charlie Drumm walked and a fly ball to right off the bat of Caleb Campbell fell in for a single. Both runners advanced a base as Drumm challenged a throw by heading for third. Two consecutive put outs ended the game.
Now 2-6 on the season the Eagles hit the road to Penn State Fayette on Wednesday and Christendom College in Front Royal, VA, on Friday and Saturday to wrap up the season.
Evan Klar fields a throw from Blake Alexander on a passed ball while a Bethany runner slides home.
Klar covers the plate and readys to apply the tag.
The umpire signals the runner safe at home which would become the winning Bethany run.
(Photos by Rob Brindley)