The Lancaster Bible College Baseball team hosted United East Conference member, the Wilson Phoenix, in a non-conference match on Wednesday afternoon. It was a five-run swing in the bottom of the 8^th inning that put the Chargers on top 19-16. The Chargers are now 9-9 overall and remain 1-1 in conference play while the Phoenix drop to 1-11 overall.

How It Happened: The bats were hot, and they stayed hot for both teams on Wednesday afternoon after a combined 38 total hits on the day. It began with the Phoenix hitting two homeruns to start the game and take an early 3-0 lead. Dylan Witkowski got to work early hitting one of his own in the bottom of the inning to close the gap 3-1. Three hits from the Chargers in the 2^nd inning including an RBI single to right field from Owen Shimmel gave the Chargers their first lead of the game 4-3.

The Phoenix responded swiftly reclaiming the lead after another three run homerun as the lead went on to change two more times. Perhaps the most exciting inning was the bottom of the 3^rd as Malachi Sloane, Evan Sareyka, and Witkowski all homered to bring in a total of five runs.

By the 5^th inning the Phoenix held a steady 16-10 lead, but the Chargers didn't fold climbing back to within two runs in the 6^th inning on singles from Sareyka, Shimmel, and Micah Sloane. Finding their momentum, it was the 8^th inning where the Chargers hit their stride and made a five run comeback. Freshman Joey Stein started the inning with a line drive to right centerfield to put the Chargers on their feet. Sareyka was able to bring in Stein on a single to left field putting the Chargers to within one run. A passed ball opportunity tied the game at 16-16 as Shane Stephan crossed Homeplate. The game winner turned out to be Sareyka as he stole home on a failed pickle play. Micah Sloane followed the madness with a two-run shot for good measure. The Chargers went on to win 19-16.  

By the Numbers

• The Chargers had 22 hits for 19 runs and 16 runs batted in.
• The Phoenix had 16 hits for 16 runs and 15 runs batted in.
• Sareyka went 5-6 with four runs, three RBIs, and two stolen bases.
• Shimmel went 4-6 with two RBIs, and one run.
• Witkowski went a perfect 4-4 with four runs, four RBIs, and two homeruns.
• Micah Sloane, Malachi Sloane, and Nate Rosenzweig all added a homerun on the day.
• Sareyka got the win on the mound to improve to 1-2 allowing just a hit and striking out three batters in two innings.

Up Next: The Chargers travel to another friendly foe in Penn St. Berks on Friday, March 21.