AMBLER, PA (April 21, 2023) -- The King's College baseball team tied up the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth, but the top-ranked Arcadia University took control down the stretch as the Monarchs fell, 6-1, in game one of the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) series in Ambler, Pa. on Friday afternoon. With the setback, the Monarchs drop to 14-18 overall and 5-14 in the MAC Freedom, while the Knights improve to 24-8 and 16-2 in the conference standings.
 
After a scoreless first inning, Arcadia (24-8, 16-2 MAC Freedom) put up a run in the bottom of the second thanks to a leadoff triple. The game would return to its defensive standoff before King's (14-18, 5-14 MAC Freedom) got in the scoring column as Chase Yochem worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a single to right center from Zach Day. Michael Marmolejos drove in Yochem with a sacrifice fly to right field to see the MAC Freedom contest tied, 1-1, heading into the bottom of the fourth.
 
Each team put up a hit in their next at bats before the host Knights broke the stalemate, plating three runs on a pair of hits to go ahead, 4-1. The Monarchs defensive efforts would remain strong, especially in the bottom of the seventh as they worked out of a runner on third as relief pitcher Jeff Higgins struck out the final batter in the inning to preserve the 4-1 deficit.
 
Arcadia plated their insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, taking a 6-1 advantage behind three hits, and the Monarchs would not take advantage of a leadoff single from Marmolejos as King's fell, 6-1, in the MAC Freedom contest on Friday afternoon.
 
Yochem posted a 2-for-2 effort with two walks and a run, while five other Monarchs put up hits in the loss. Marmolejos also went 1-for-3 with the lone RBI in the contest. Matt Martin was awarded the loss in 4.1 innings as the starter, allowing four earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts.
 
Arcadia was led by Alex Madera as he went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a run, while Emilio Pallante posted a 2-for-4 effort with a run. Carson Denham threw the complete-game for the Knights, giving up one earned run on seven hits.
 
King's will host Arcadia for the MAC Freedom doubleheader on Saturday. Game one is set to begin at 11:00 a.m. at Lipo Field.