Albright College Athletics

READING, Pa. - Still very much in the hunt for a postseason bid the Lions (14-15-1/4-8 Commonwealth) paced by solid pitching and hitting swept the Falcons of Messiah College (13-19-1/5-7 Commonwealth) by the scores of 4-1 and 8-2 Saturday afternoon at Kelchner Field. 

In game one senior lefty Tim Flannery (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) fanned a total of seven batters to take over as the all-time strikeout leader at Albright College. The Mechanicsburg, Pa. native now sits with 181 career strikeouts breaking the all-time record of 180 which was set by Rich Mensek in 1993. On the day Flannery allowed just one run on six hits and surrendered just one walk in the seven inning contest.

Flannery’s record on the season improved to 2-5 overall, while Messiah’s Sheldon Witmer was handed his third loss. Witmer allowed seven hits and one walk in his six inning appearance. He also managed three strikeouts.

Junior catcher Matt Kozlowski (Reading, PA/Reading Central Catholic) continued to produce at the plate going 2-for-3 on the day with one run. Sophomore Matt Pannella (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville) also recorded a pair of hits in three at-bats and had two RBI’s and one run as well.

The two teams remained even at 0-0 through the first 2 ½ innings. Albright was able to break the scoreless draw in the bottom of the third. Albright put up a pair of runs on the scoreboard to take their first lead of the afternoon. They then made it a 4-0 in the bottom half of the fourth on a two run single from Pannella.

Messiah’s lone run came in the seventh on a single from Sam Tajiri. The Lions tried to turn the double-play but were only able to get the out at second allowing Tajiri to reach first and earn the RBI. Despite giving up the run, Flannery would go on to earn the final two outs of the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.

In the nightcap, freshman pitcher Tyler Storms (Fleetwood, PA/Fleetwood) continued where Flannery left off picking up his second win of the year. The lefty allowed just two runs on six hits and recorded three strikeouts.

Helping to secure the nightcap victory was junior Mike Nolan (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin) who recorded an in the park grand slam to make it 6-1 in the bottom of the third. Prior to that huge hit, the Lions jumped out to 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI double from Jason Dunkelberger (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin) and an RBI single from Justin Danser (Ewing, NJ/Ewing).

Messiah’s first run of the nightcap came in the second inning on a one run homer from Ben Kirk. Their second and final run of the day was scored in the fifth to make it 6-2. Albright responded right back in the bottom of the fifth with another two runs to take a six run lead.

The Lions defense kept the Falcons off the scoreboard in the final two innings to secure the day’s second win.

Next week will be another busy week for the Lions. On Monday they will face the Golden Bears of Kutztown University at First Energy Park in a special non-conference match-up. Start time is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.