Craig and Kress Represent Griffins On CACC Baseball’s Weekly Honor Roll
New Haven, Conn. – (4/4/2016) – After a 3-1 week of Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play versus Philadelphia University and at Bloomfield College, sophomore second baseman Alec Craig (Hammonton, N.J.) and sophomore pitcher Matthew Kress (Lansdale, Pa.) were recognized for their roles with a mention on the league’s Weekly Honor Roll. Craig batted .471 (8-for-17) with eight runs, two runs-batted-in (RBI), four walks, and two (2-for-4) stolen bases, while Kress offered a 3.00 earned run average (ERA) over two appearances (9 innings pitched).
Consistent offense built Chestnut Hill College a 6-3 lead before Philadelphia University rallied to force extra innings in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader. The Griffins emerged victorious in the additional frames with senior left fielder Brendan Looby (Sewell, N.J.) doubling down the left field line, advancing to third on a single from senior first baseman Patrick Campion (Norristown, Pa.), and scoring the winning run on a single to left field by freshman designated hitter Eric Gilham (Deptford, N.J.), 7-6. The Scarlet and Gold ensured that the opposing rally would not repeat in the second game as a six-run third inning precipitated a 10-5 victory and the valuable CACC sweep. Craig was 3-for-7 in the twin bill, scoring two runs per contest. He went 2-for-3 in the opener, reaching home on a third-inning Campion single and an eighth-inning fielder’s choice before going 1-for-4 in the night cap, where he scored on a first-inning triple from sophomore designated hitter Matthew Owens (Cherry Hill, N.J.) and a third-inning Owens double. Kress threw two innings of scoreless relief to close out the second game. He allowed only a walk while striking out two.
Chestnut Hill College opened and closed the first game of Saturday’s CACC doubleheader at Bloomfield College with fireworks as Craig and Looby both hit home runs in a 12-3 drubbing of the Bears. Afterwards, it took 13 innings for the home team get their revenge in a marathon 4-3 final. Looby homered in the second game as well, while Craig laced three more hits to raise his season batting average to .341 (30-for-88) with a five-hit (5-for-10) afternoon. He score his first run on an eighth-inning fielder’s choice in the opener before scoring three times in the nightcap thanks to his lead-off home run, an eighth-inning Looby single, and a ninth-inning Looby home run. Kress earned the win (2-3), allowing three runs on three hits and striking out nine in seven innings.
The Griffins continue their CACC schedule on Tuesday, April 5, when they visit the University of the Sciences (USciences) for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.
