March 4, 2008

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, CA - The La Salle University Baseball team scored the last five runs of the game, but still dropped its final game in California to Cal State Northridge, 10-6, on Tuesday at Matador Field.

The Explorers jumped up 1-0 on back-to-back two-out singles by John Rickards and TJ Chism. After Rickards singled to right field, he stole second, then scored on Chism's single back throught the middle.

The Matadors (5-2), however, answered with 10 runs over the next six innings, as Richard Cates and Justin DeMarco each scored two and drove in two, and John Parham, who had four hits, also knocked in a pair.

Cal State Northridge's Drew Muren picked up his first win of the season in six innings pitched, allowing just one earned run and striking out three. However, he gave way to Mark Haderlein, who La Salle tagged for four runs in the next two innings.

Brian Meagher hit an RBI single in the top of the seventh to score Chris Crawford, then scored himself on John Malloy's RBI single.

In the eighth, Rick Gehman doubled to lead off the frame and scored on Mike Dertouzos' RBI single. He was pulled for a pinch runner - Mike Canfarotta - and he moved to second on pinch-hitter Chris Umstead's single, which chased Haderlein.

The Matadors' then turned to Billy Ott, who was greated with an RBI single from Crawford and Meagher, who loaded the bases with a walk. However, Ott retired the next two batters - the second with a double-play ball to end the Explorer threat.

He allowed a ninth-inning run - Rickards scored on Zack Feierstein's RBI single, but allowed no more damage to close out the game and the win for Cal State Northridge.

La Salle (0-9) returns home and will play eight straight games in Philadelphia, including six in an eight-day stretch at Hank DeVincent Field, starting with a 2:30 PM game versus Cornell on Friday. Following that game is Hartford at 12 PM, Saturday, and Wagner at 11 AM, Sunday.