Sibson Strikeouts Warrant CACC Pitcher of the Week, Craig Hits Way On to Weekly Honor Roll
New Haven, Conn. - (4/11/2017) – In a pair of seven-inning (7.0) starts versus the University of the Sciences (USciences), on April 3, and Nyack College, on April 8, junior Andrew Sibson (Galloway, N.J.) improved his record to 4-0 by holding his Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) rivals to two earned runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out 16. Meanwhile, junior shortstop Alec Craig (Hammonton, N.J.) batted .379 (11-for-29) with 11 runs, three runs-batted-in (RBI), and three stolen bases (3-for-4, .750) to fuel the Chestnut Hill College (14-9-1, 8-3) for a 7-1 stretch that included conference victories over USciences (W, 3-1 GM1 on April 3), Philadelphia University (W, 4-2 and W, 5-4 on April 5), and Nyack College (W, 13-5 and W, 5-2 on April 8). For their efforts, Sibson garnered the CACC Pitcher of the Week award and Craig earned his third mention on the league’s weekly Honor Roll.
Sibson dazzled USciences (7-17, 4-10) for seven innings in the opener of last Monday’s CACC doubleheader against USciences, striking out 12 while his teammates generated the necessary runs for a 3-1 triumph. Despite giving up a run in the first inning of the twin bill, Sibson was stellar. He struck out the side in the second and fourth innings, meanwhile, a two-out, second-inning double from sophomore center fielder Vincent Case (Southampton, Pa.) tied the contest, 1-1. The Griffins separated with two runs in the seventh inning. The first came around after a lead-off walk to freshman centerfielder Justin McFadden (Galloway, N.J.), a hit batsman, a passed, ball, a walk, and a sacrifice fly from junior first baseman Matthew Owens (Cherry Hill, N.J.), 2-1. The second, after a wild pitch, and a Gilham grounder that was misplayed by the Devil third baseman, 3-1. Sophomore Dino Cattai (Philadelphia, Pa.) relived Sibson in the eighth inning; he earned his second save of the season, holding USciences to one hit over the final two frames. Craig was 1-for-4 in both games of the twin bill, scoring in the first on an error in the seventh inning and in the second on fourth-inning single to right from senior right fielder Joseph Monaghan (Doylestown, Pa.).
On Wednesday, April 5, Chestnut Hill College grinded out two valuable CACC victories over Philadelphia University; 4-2 and 5-4. In support of junior Patrick Kelley (Pipersville, Pa.), the Griffins capitalized on a lead-off walk and a misplayed bunt in the sixth inning, and a one-out pinch-hit single from senior Christopher Demey (Phoenixville, Pa.) in the seventh inning to triumph in the opener. In the nightcap, the Scarlet and Gold used a Ram error to tie the game in the second inning, then a two-run triple from Owens and a one-run single from senior third baseman Austin DiBonaventure (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) gave junior Matthew Kress (Lansdale, Pa.) just enough insurance with a three-run third inning. Craig was 2-for-7 with a run in the doubleheader.
A little more than a week removed from splitting a CACC doubleheader with Wilmington University, Chestnut Hill College traveled New Castle, Delaware, to face the Wildcats in a non-conference twin bill on Friday, April 7. Despite a chill in the air, the Griffin offense was full effect, defeating the home side by a 13-8 final in the opener and a 6-3 final in the nightcap. Craig (2-for-4), Owens, and sophomore third baseman Zach Szumigala (Fairless Hills, Pa.) each recorded two hits in the first game; Owens knocked in four runs, but sophomore designated hitter Eric Small (Downingtown, Pa.) was one better with five RBI. Craig also walked twice, scored three times, and knocked in a run in the opener on a fourth-inning, misplayed ball to short. He also walked twice in game two, scoring on a Wildcat error in the first inning and a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning.
The opener of Saturday’s CACC doubleheader versus Nyack College was tied, 4-4, after five innings, but two Chestnut Hill College runs in the sixth inning and an avalanche of seven run in the eighth inning secured the win for the Scarlet and Gold, 13-5. In the second game the Griffins made their move for the sweep with a three-run fifth inning. It gave them a 4-1 lead and an eventual 5-2 triumph. Sibson was the winner in game one; allowing one earned run on five hits and a walk while striking out four over seven innings. Craig was the straw that stirs the drink with five hits (5-for-8), three runs, and two runs-batted-in (RBI) in the doubleheader. He went 3-for-5 in the opener with two runs and a RBI, then went 2-for-3 with a run and a RBI in game two.
Chestnut Hill College continues their CACC schedule on Wednesday, April 12, when they host Felician University in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader.
