Newark, NJ – (3/20/2010) – The Chestnut Hill College pitching staff rose to the occasion today as the Griffins held Bloomfield College scoreless over the final 11 innings of this afternoon's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) doubleheader. A solid start from senior Robby Williams (Allentown, PA) kept the Griffins within range in the opener, allowing a three run Griffin ninth to secure a 4-2 win. Three pitchers contributed to a six-hit shutout in game two, as the Griffins completed the sweep with a 3-0 victory.
In the opener, Bloomfield College (3-12, 0-2) got the early jump on Chestnut Hill College (4-5, 2-0) with two scores in the bottom first inning. The Griffins cut the deficit in half (2-1) on a sacrifice fly from junior shortstop George Kochu (Pottstown, PA) in the fifth inning. Chances of completing the comeback looked bleak heading to the top of the ninth inning, but a lead-off double from sophomore second baseman Jesse Daywalt (Phoenixville, PA) put life back into the Griffins. Two Deacon errors allowed Daywalt to reach home and put two more aboard before junior catcher Bryan Henry (Columbus, NJ) plated and scored the last two Griffin runs. Junior pitcher Matt Casino (Port Chester, NY) sealed the deal in the bottom of the ninth to collect the victory (1-0). Williams allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five in his second start of the season.
Junior pitcher Chris Lauber (Morton, PA) earned his first win (1-1) on the season with a quality performance as the Griffin starter in game two. Lauber held the Deacons scoreless over the first, seven innings while the Griffins built a 3-0 lead. Junior centerfielder Andrew Koziol (Wilmington DE) singled in the first Griffin run in the fifth inning. He raked another run-scoring single in the seventh, after Henry singled in a run in the sixth giving the Griffins a 3-0 lead heading to the Deacons' final two at-bats. Casino and freshman Rudy Behrens (Wallingford, CT) provided the relief, carrying the Griffins to a 3-0 win. Lauber gave up five hits and three walks while striking out five in seven innings. Casino and Behrens completed the shutout allowing three base runners while securing the final six outs.
The baseball team will host Kutztown University in a single game tomorrow, Sunday, March 21. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
