Center Valley, PA - The La Salle University baseball squad lost its fourth straight falling to DeSales University 9-8, Tuesday, May 4th. The Explorers held an 8-7 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, but DeSales, scored two ninth inning runs to earn the victory.

La Salle senior Eric Ruhland (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) started on the mound. He pitched in two and two thirds inngings before freshman Gerard Breslin (Havertown, PA/Haverford) came in at relief. Breslin struck out eight batters in the final six innings.

Freshman Billy Kern (Northfield, NJ/Mainland) helped earn four of the Explorers eight runs. He went 3-5 on the day, scoring one run on his own and driving in three. Sophomore George Hudock (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) scored the four remaining runs for La Salle. Hudock was 1-2 from the plate.

The Explorers scored first in the game, but DeSales answered right back and took a 4-2 lead by the start of the fourth inning. La Salle then tied the game up at four, but DeSales regained the lead and added a few more to go up 7-6.

The Explorers answered with a two runs in the top of the sixth and a game tying run in the top of the seventh. La Salle then took an 8-7 lead in the top of the ninth, but with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and two men on, DeSales hit a double into right center. The hit scored two runs and handed the Explorers a 9-8 loss.

La Salle is now 18-22-2 overall and will host the Duquesne Dukes this Friday May 7th at 3:00 p.m. in a single nine inning game and Saturday in a doubleheader starting at noon. The La Salle athletic department and baseball coaching staff will honor the nine seniors on the squad as they wrap up their careers at
La Salle.