Baseball

April 18, 2008

Baseball Suffers Doubleheader Setback At Saint Rose


ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose baseball team scored a collective 22 runs that allowed the Golden Knights to sweep a non-conference doubleheader versus Saint Michael's this afternoon at Bleecker Stadium. Saint Rose, which snapped a four-game losing streak as well, took the opener 11-8 and came away with an 11-4 decision in the nightcap.

In game one, the Golden Knights (12-24) trailed 7-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth when sophomore left fielder Derek Marshall (Malone, NY/Franklin Academy) belted a three-run double to center field that ignited a seven-run assault. Saint Rose then took advantage of an error and freshman right fielder Angel Nunez (Brooklyn, NY/George Washington) provided the go-ahead run with an RBI single to right field to put the Golden Knights in front for good.

The Purple Knights (6-16) managed to get one back in the sixth when sophomore second baseman Tim Pilczak (Cohasset, MA/Kents Hill School) doubled and scored on an error. However, Saint Rose sophomore right-hander Justin Besaw (Saranac, NY/Saranac) spun a double play ball to end the threat.

Besaw, who came on in relief of junior right-hander Paul Partridge (Uniontown, PA/John Jay) in the third, allowed only two earned runs over the final 4.1 innings of work to pick up his first victory of the season. Meanwhile, Marshall went 2-for-4 with four RBI and a run and sophomore catcher John Cole (Spring Valley, NY/Spring Valley) finished 3-for-4 with two RBI to pace the offense.

Pilczak was 3-for-4 with three runs, two RBI and a home run for Saint Michael's, while freshman third baseman Ben Yodzio (Hingham, MA/Hingham) wound up 2-for-4 with two runs and a like number of RBI.

In game two, senior right-hander Kevin Zuchorski (Cobleskill, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) gave the Golden Knights six strong innings to earn his first victory of the year. Zuchorski scattered six hits and fanned five before freshman right-hander Richard Egloff (Middle Island, NY/Longwood) was called upon to close out the affair in the seventh.

Saint Rose used a pair of big innings in the first and sixth to complete the sweep. The Golden Knights broke open a 7-4 ballgame with four runs in the home half of the sixth highlighted by a two-run double by Marshall. Junior left fielder Brett Weber (East Schodack, NY/Columbia) then doubled to left center to bring around Marshall for the final margin.

Marshall wound up 2-for-3 with a pair of runs and RBI, while sophomore center fielder Ryan Price (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs on the strength of a homer in the first inning.

Yodzio and sophomore left fielder Matt Beaulieu (Littleton, MA/Lawrence Academy) registered two hits apiece for Saint Michael's, while Pilczak drove in a pair on his second home run of the day.

Saint Rose will return to its Northeast-10 Conference schedule tomorrow when the Golden Knights host Southern Connecticut State for a noon doubleheader. Prior to game one, four student-athletes will be honored as part of "Senior Day" festivities. The Purple Knights will have a day off before heading to St. Lawrence for a 1:00 twin-bill on Sunday.

Game 1

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Saint Michael's..... 302 201 0 - 8 10 4 (6-15)

Saint Rose.......... 021 071 X - 11 11 2 (11-24)

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Pitchers: Saint Michael's - McIntire, A.; Jennette, P.(5); Estes, P.(5). Saint Rose - Paul Partridge; Justin Besaw(3).

Win-Justin Besaw(1-0) Loss-Jennette, P.(0-3)

HR STM - Pilczak, T. (1).

McIntire, A. faced 4 batters in the 5th.

Game 2

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Saint Michael's..... 301 000 0 - 4 7 4 (6-16)

Saint Rose.......... 502 004 X - 11 8 0 (12-24)

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Pitchers: Saint Michael's - McDonough, M. Saint Rose - Kevin Zuchorski; Richard Egloff(7).

Win-Kevin Zuchorski(1-1) Loss-McDonough, M(1-4)

HR STM - Pilczak, T.; Beaulieu, M.

HR STR - Ryan Price.