PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. – The Valley Forge Christian College men's baseball team rallied to take two games from Christendom College, Saturday, April 20.  Coming from behind in game one, the Patriots defeated the Crusaders, 6-4 and continued the momentum to claim game two, 8-3.

At the bottom of the third inning, the Patriots were trailing by one run.  With two men on and in scoring position, Jared Boothman made solid contact and drove the ball into centerfield, bringing in two runs to take the lead.  Two innings later, it appeared to be déjà vu` as the Patriots had two men in scoring position and Jared Boothman up at the plate.  A single hit up the right side brought in two more RBI's for Boothman and extended the Patriots' lead. 

At the top of the sixth inning, winning pitcher Josh Strohm hit some trouble as Christendom started a rally of their own, earning one run and putting two men in scoring position.  After a quick change at the mound, Jake Moritz gave up two runs before bringing the inning to a close.  The score now tied, the Patriots played aggressive on the bags, stealing bases to get around and earning two runs to recapture the lead, 6-4.  Holding the Crusaders, the Patriots closed out the last inning and captured game one.
Josh Strohm received the win, striking out nine batters in five innings. 

Mike Fiore went 3-for-4 at the plate, earning one RBI and three runs.  Despite going just 1-for-4 at the plate, Jared Boothman brought in four RBI's. 

Into game two, Matt McKenzie held the Crusaders scoreless, striking out five batters by the top of the fourth inning.  Going off of the Patriots' errors, the Crusaders were able to take a small lead, earning three runs by the end of the inning, going up 3-1.  It would be the only runs of the game for the Crusaders, as the Patriots continued to retire batter after batter, while scoring two runs in the fourth and five runs in the sixth to capture game two, 8-3!

Matt McKenzie pitched all seven innings, earning eight strike-outs and giving up just one earned run. 

Josh Strohm was strong at the plate, going 2-for-3, earning two RBI's and one run.  Jake Moritz went 2-for-4, with two RBI's and one run, while Mike Fiore went 2-for-3 with one RBI and run.

The Patriots return to the field, Thursday, April 25 in a conference match-up against Cairn University.  The Patriots and Highlanders are set to play at 3pm in Langhorne, Pa.

Go Patriots!