Make it Six: Waterhouse Propels Garnet to 11-8 Victory Over Widener
CHESTER, Pa. - Sophomore second baseman Mike Waterhouse hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth to break an 8-8 tie, leading the Swarthmore College baseball team (9-6, 1-0) to a thrilling 11-8 victory over Widener on Wednesday afternoon.
The win marks the Garnet's sixth-consecutive victory, matching the program's longest winning streak since 1996.
Gill blasted a two-run home run in the second inning.
Down 3-0 after the first inning, a seven-hit, six-run second inning - sparked by a two-run home run from senior Jimmy Gill - fueled Swat's 320 Challenge win over the Pride (6-4).
Junior Ben Schneiderman finished 4-of-5 from the plate to spark the Garnet offense. Waterhouse finished his monster day at the plate with three hits and a game-high five RBIs, while Gill also had three hits and three runs batted home.
Sophomore Adam Hardy (2-0) picked up the victory, working the final two innings in relief for the Garnet.
After the Pride put up a quick three runs in the first inning, Swarthmore bounced right back with a rally of its own. Gill's two-run blast over the right field fence got the rally started but three doubles from Schneiderman, Waterhouse and sophomore Mike Cameron would help to add four more runs in the inning.
In the third inning Schneiderman and Waterhouse would come through again. Schneiderman would score off of a Waterhouse single up the middle. The Garnet would then load the bases but were unable to capitalize as the Pride would turn a double-play to end the threat.
Gill would give Swarthmore one more in the fourth inning knocking in sophomore Spencer Ross on a single to right.
The Swat offense was silenced for the next four innings as Widener would slowly come back, scoring a run in the bottom half of the fourth and fifth innings and two runs in the seventh to get within one of the Garnet, 8-7.
Three straight singles in the bottom of the eighth inning from the Pride would score the equalizer.
Waterhouse hit the game-winning three-run homerun in the top of the ninth.
With Swarthmore on its heals in the ninth, senior Wiley Archibald would hit a leadoff single only to be picked off at first a few pitches later. Swat would once again turn to the bats of Schneiderman and Waterhouse. Schneiderman would reach on an infield single to the shortstop and freshman Rory McTear would reach on an error by the second baseman. Waterhouse would follow with the game-winning homerun.
The Garnet baseball team will look to keep the streak alive on Friday March 26 when they travel to Muhlenberg for what is sure to be a heated battle. Play begins at 12:00 PM.