Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Miami Gardens, Fla. – (3/2/2019) – Chestnut Hill College opened their 2019 season today, Saturday, March 2, with a pair of seven-inning games at Florida Memorial University. There, the Lions defeated the Griffins in both ends of the doubleheader, 6-4 and 7-2. Freshman second baseman Luke LeBeau (Pittsfield, Mass.) went 3-for-6 in the twin bill, including a run-scoring double in the seventh inning of game one and a run-scoring single in the seventh inning of game two. Both sophomore Billy Bethel (Yardley, Pa.) and senior Matthew Kress (Lansdale, Pa.) endured for at least five innings in defeat.
 
The action started early with five runs scoring in the first inning of game one. Chestnut Hill College (0-2) struck first as sophomore first baseman Andrew Dietz (Warrington, Pa.) drew a one-out walk, stole second base, advancing to third base on a single to left from sophomore right fielder Sam Barletta (Royersford, Pa.), and eventually scoring on a fielder's choice off the bat of senior catcher Eric Gilham (Deptford, N.J.), 1-0. The Griffins scored a second run when Gilham hustled home on a two-out passed ball, 2-0. Unfortunately, Florida Memorial University (9-8) put three runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame, 3-2, another in the fourth inning, 4-2, and two in the bottom of the sixth inning to post a 6-2 advantage. Chestnut Hill College looked to rally in their final at-bat, scoring a pair of runs on LeBeau's double and a ground out to second base from junior third baseman Ameir Uzzell (Levittown, Pa.). Unfortunately, the Griffin rally ended there, leaving the Lions to a 6-4 victory. LeBeau was 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run-batted-in (RBI). Gilham recorded the Griffins' only other extra-base hit with a third-inning double. Bethel (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out two over five innings.
 
In the second game, Florida Memorial University platted seven runs before Chestnut Hill College was able to push a runner across. The Griffins did so twice in their final at-bat as a one-out single from sophomore shortstop Jared Healey (Philadelphia, Pa.), a walk to senior designated hitter Eric Small (Downingtown, Pa.), and a two-out single to center field from LeBeau scored the first Scarlet and Gold run of the game, 7-1. The second was not far behind with Small scoring on an Uzzell single to right field, 7-2. But, the rally ended there with the Lions securing the win with a pop-out to second base. Dietz was 2-for-4, but LeBeau and Uzzell were the only Griffins to knock in runs. Kress (0-1) allowed seven runs on 12 hits, while striking out four over 5.2 innings of work.
 
Chestnut Hill College continues their three-game series with Florida Memorial University tomorrow, Sunday, March 3, with a 1:00 p.m., nine-inning affair.