Messiah Careless Once More, Drops Decision To Wash & Jeff
Posted: 3/17/2009
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Freshman Wes Hollenbach had Messiah's only RBI Tuesday against Wash & Jeff — and one of only two hits overall.

Winter Haven, FL — Another tough day fielding the baseball led to another Messiah loss at central Florida’s Chain Links Baseball Complex Tuesday, as the Falcons dropped a 1-11 decision to Washington & Jefferson College.

Messiah (6-9-1) committed five errors in the defeat, leading to four unearned runs for the Presidents. It marked the second time this season that the Falcons posted more errors than hits in a game — Wash & Jeff limited Messiah to just two of the latter — as an 11-error defeat to 15th-ranked Cortland State University opened the team’s southern swing last Friday.

“A theme of our trip has been that our pitchers have thrown better than the result of our games and this was no exception,” said Bryan Engle, Messiah head coach. “(Freshman) Chance Sorensen made his first collegiate start and was the recipient of poor play behind him. It's really frustrating as a coach, or as a player, to see us not playing well defensively. We aren’t good enough to be able to turn on a switch and turn it off during games. We have to have the on-switch on at all times during games. We have to be ready to go and give a great effort against all opponents.”

That was simply not the case for Engle’s squad Tuesday, as Wash & Jeff (3-1) opened with two triples in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. The first of five Falcons errors in the third inning led to four more scores for the Presidents — only two were earned — and Messiah was down by a 6-0 count.

Another Wash & Jeff score in the fourth made it a 7-0 game, and Messiah would respond with its only run in the bottom half of the fifth. A double from junior Jordan Zimmerman was driven home by a single from freshman Wes Hollenbach — the back-to-back hits comprising the Falcons’ summary of offense on the afternoon.

Wash & Jeff pitcher Jim Pasquine went seven full innings allowing just those two hits while striking out eight, as Messiah stranded only Hollenbach on base.

Sorensen (0-1) suffered the pitching loss, going six innings while giving up 11 hits and nine runs — five of which were earned. Sophomore Paul Foerth came on in relief, tossing the final two stanzas while giving up two hits and two runs.

“I know from a defensive standpoint, we are anxious to get back home and play in more comfortable environments, fields, but we have to get better,” Engle said. “I'm much more concerned about how we are playing as opposed to our results that we are putting up. At this moment, though, we aren't getting results or consistent play to the level I expect or to the level our guys have already shown they can play to. The beautiful thing, though, is that baseball is a game where you generally have an opportunity to make up for it right away. For us, that day is tomorrow and hopefully we can leave Florida with a good taste in our mouth.”

Messiah will conclude its spring break trip with a single, nine-inning contest against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Wednesday. Game time is set for 10 a.m.