FORT MYERS, Fla. - Senior pitcher Steve Gavin threw a three-hit, seven-strikeout complete game shutout in the opener, and Bryan Sternig provided the big hit in the nightcap as Edgewood College swept a doubleheader from Haverford College. Gavin was masterful in the 1-0 victory, becoming the 15th Eagle to surpass the 100 career strikeouts milestone. Sternig crushed a bases-loaded double in the top of the seventh to give the Eagles a 9-6 come-from-behind victory in the second game.
The opening game was a pitcher's delight as Gavin and Haverford's Dylan Livingston limited the hitters to just five total hits and no earned runs. Edgewood College (2-2) broke through with the game's only run in the second inning. Dane Lamont reached on a two-out Haverford College (0-7) error, and moved to second when Peter Perales was hit by a pitch. From there, Alex Fowler singled to center field to bring home Lamont with what turned out to be the winning run.
But Gavin was the big story in the first game. Needing two strikeouts to reach 100 for his career, Gavin struck out the side in order in the second inning to reach the milestone. He did it again in the fifth inning after surrendering a leadoff single. His seven strikeouts gave him 105 for his career, moving him into 13th place on the all-time list, one strikeout behind current pitching coach Nathan Marlowe. Hi three-hitter was the second career complete-game shutout for Gavin following last season's nine-inning, three-hit shutout of Dominican University.
In the second game, Edgewood College trailed 5-4 heading into the sixth inning, but tied the game when Haverford's wild throw on Nik Visone's bunt attempt allowed Bryan Sternig to score from second base. The Fords shot right back with a go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth, setting up some last inning heroics for the Eagles.
The Eagles loaded the bases with no outs, on walks to Patrick Wardlaw and Fowler, and a single by Callen Gavic. After a Haverford pitching change, Casey Willis tied the game 6-6 by drawing a bases loaded walk. Then Sternig delivered the biggest hit of the day, driving a bases-clearing double to the fence to put the Eagles ahead 9-6. Ryan Fields moved from shortstop to the mound for the bottom of the seventh, reliving winning pitcher Alex Meister and worked around a two-out single for his first career save.
Meister, the Eagles reliable middle reliever, earned his first career win in his 36th appearance as an Eagle. Meister threw three innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Mason Maziarka started the game for the Eagles, and departed after three innings with the game tied at 4-4.
Nick Cheaney had two hits, including a double, for the Eagles and currently leads Eagles with a .500 batting average (5-for-10) through four games. Sternig and Jeff Tucker each had a double, while Casey Willis matched his career-high with two runs batted in. The Eagles swiped four bases, bringing their season total to 12 in their first four games.
Edgewood College is off on Tuesday, performing a community service project with the Eagle softball and men's golf teams. They will return to action on Wednesday against NCAA Division II opponent St. Michael's College.
