Baseball
First-Place Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader With Saint Joseph's
May 3, 2003
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Saint Joseph's bullpen could not convert save opportunities in both ends of a doubleheader, as Rhode Island rallied to defeat SJU 10-7 and 9-6 in a key Atlantic 10 twinbill at Latshaw-McCarthy Field. The losses dropped the Hawks to 16-28 overall, 9-11 A-10, while URI improved to 22-23, 13-7 A-10.
The Hawks took an early 4-0 lead over Rhody after two innings in the first game. The Hawks scored a run in the first on a balk by Rhode Island pitcher Reid Willet. They then added three more runs in the second on a fielder's choice, an error, and a walk.
But the Rams exploded for six runs in the top of the third inning to take the lead. Lead off singles by Justin Lamboy and Mike Rainville led to a Josh Nestor sacrifice bunt which scored Lamboy on an error. Center fielder DJ Burns then followed with a single to right that scored Rainville. Nestor scored later in the inning on a wild pitch and Burns also crossed the plate with a single up the middle by Dan Batz. The Rams DH Adam Houston then capped off the inning with a two run double that scored both Batz and right fielder Matt Sullivan.
SJU tied the game in the home half of the frame with a pair of runs and went ahead 7-6 when DeLorenzo plated senior John Kokol with an RBI single in the fourth.
Leading entering the last inning, SJU sent their closer senior Mike Walls to the hill to shut the door. Walls, however, was rudely greeted and surrendered four runs on four hits. Houston singled through the left side to bring in Wayne Russo, and Jared Trout ripped a pinch hit double down the right field line to drive in Sullivan. Lamboy then came through with a sacrifice fly to center that drove in Houston, and Rainville followed with a single to left to score Trout.
The Hawks would not plate any runs in the home half of the seventh as URI's Keith Ross collected his fifth save.
The Rams Reid Willet (5-4) earned the win tossing 6.0 innings and allowing nine hits and seven runs (three earned). Walls (1-1) took the loss. Al Braun started for SJU and gave up six runs (five earned) and eight hits.
Game two moved rapidly through four innings as URI's Dan Frederick and Hawk sophomore Ryan Hoagey were locked in a scoreless duel.
The Rams finally broke through scoring four runs in the fifth to knock out Hoagey. The inning was highlighted by a Tom Venedam three-run homerun that brought Jared Trout and Dan Batz across the plate. Justin Lamboy then came through with a double and Mike Rainville followed with a double of his own to bring home Lamboy and give Rhode Island the 4-0 lead.
SJU then delivered its own knockout punch with a five run sixth inning to take a 5-4 lead. Second baseman Jason Tarewicz had an RBI double in the inning and right fielder Joe DiNubile drove in two with a single.
Again SJU looked to close out the game in the final frame, this time turning the ball over to senior Erik Holman. Holman allowed a pair of runs, as SJU gave up the lead and URI went back on top in the top of the seventh by a score of 6-5. Rainville gave the Rams the lead on a triple to left center that scored Venedam and Trout.
Tarewicz then came to the plate in the bottom half of the seventh and delivered an inside the park home run that allowed SJU to tie the game, 6-6.
The Rams then added three more runs in the eighth inning off reliever Joe Mucci (2-2) to get the 9-6 win. Lamboy drove in the Rams first run on a sacrifice fly to right that scored Sullivan. Rainville then came to the plate and singled up the middle to drive in two more runs and leave him with 5 RBI for the game. URI's Dave Lipson (2-0) picked up the win in relief.
The two teams will close out the series with a single nine inning game on Sunday at noon. SJU will honor it seniors in pregame festivities.
