CHESTER, Pa. — Widener and Elizabethtown have engaged in some pretty epic battles on the diamond over the last few seasons. The 2007, 2009 and 2010 Commonwealth Conference Championship games were contested between the two schools, with the Blue Jays getting the upper hand in 2007 and 2010. In the first game of this year's series, E-town showed the Pride that the road back to the league playoffs may just go through them. Though early in league schedule, E-town sent a message with four runs on six hits in the top of the ninth, rallying from a 9-8 deficit to win 12-9 Friday afternoon in Chester.

No stranger to close games, Elizabethtown was ready for its crucial moment Friday. The Jays (12-7, 3-1 CC) had six of their last seven games decided by three runs or less and trailing by a run entering the ninth, it certainly seemed as if that trend would continue.

It did, but on this day, in favor of E-town.

Dillon Tagle's one-out double quickly put the tying run in scoring position and senior Matt Reade followed with first hit of the afternoon, a single to right field.

High hopes of knotting the game took a sharp turn for the worst when Tagle was thrown out at the plate on Shane Hosler's single to left field.

Adding a little more adversity to the mix would not affect the visitors. Down to their final out, the Blue Jays got a double to right off the bat of Kevin Berkheiser to make it a 9-9 game. Freshman Ryan Haggerty, starting his fourth straight game, then laced a single to right as well, this one scoring Hosler for E-town's third different lead of the game.

The flood gates opened from there, as Widener (13-8, 4-3) closer Bill Hollingsworth walked two straight batters to force in another run. Jon Bacher increased the lead to 12-9 with his only hit. Haggerty scored, but classmate Tyler Weary was thrown out by Pride right fielder Brendan O'Brien at the plate.

Friday's dramatics may not have been needed if it weren't for the hot swinging Dennis Hocker. Hocker homered twice for Widener, including a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh that tied the game at eight.

Widener took its first lead since the third inning, 9-8, when Michael Riverso reached on an error that scored O'Brien in the bottom of the eighth.

Kristopher Davis replaced Matt Ruth after six innings and was the pitcher of record when E-town took advantage late. Davis improved to 1-1 on the season. He allowed three earned runs and struck out three in two innings. Todd Leister remained perfect in save opportunities, working through the Widener lineup in the ninth for his fifth in five tries.

E-town's 17-hit day included seven extra base hits. Steve Motika (3-for-5) registered a pair of doubles, as did Berkheiser (3-for-4). Berkheiser and Pat Mulligan, who tripled, led the way with three RBIs each. Motika finished the day with two ribbies and a pair of runs scored. Every guy in the Blue Jay lineup had at least one hit. Tim Rosser provided a hit and a run off the bench.

Widener starter Jason Barrie allowed seven runs in four innings and gave up nine hits. His earned run average didn't suffer horribly, because just one of those runs was earned. Offensively the Pride got four RBIs from Hocker on his pair of dingers as well as three runs and three hits from O'Brien.

Ruth struck out five and allowed five earned runs in six innings for Elizabethtown, which will return home tomorrow to host the doubleheader against Widener. Game one's first pitch is scheduled for noon.