April 1, 2008
Box Score
PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA - The La Salle University Baseball team jumped up early on the Villanova Wildcats - scoring four first-inning runs - then scored three in the ninth to tie the game at 9-all, but Villanova wins the non-conference contest Tuesday afternoon at Villanova Ballpark on a ninth-inning RBI single by Ryan Arcadia.
La Salle entered the frame down 9-6, but was able to load the bases with just one out. John Rickards singled home one and pinch-hitter RJ Hollinshead followed with a single, which scored two and tied the game.
However, the Wildcats won the game in the bottom of the frame on Arcadia's one-out single, which scored pinch-runner Tim Poydenis, who subbed for Wesley Borden, who doubled to lead of the inning.
Ryan Shockley (1-0) picked up the win for the Wildcats, as he came in after the Hollinshead single and got the final two outs of the frame. Kevin Fuqua (2-5) took the loss, after coming into the game to pitch the ninth.
The Explorers sent 10 batters to the plate in the first, which started with three straight singles by Rick Gehman, Justin Handler, and John Malloy, which scored the game's first run. Rickards was then hit by his 11th pitch of the spring to load the bases.
Villanova starter Bill Hoffman finally got the first out of the game on a liner to short, but Mike Dertouzos followed with an RBI single through the right side. After another out, Chris Umstead was hit by a pitch to score the third run of the inning, and Zack Feierstein drew a walk to give La Salle a 4-0 lead.
The Wildcats answered in the bottom of the frame with two runs - a solo home run by Joe Cotter and a sacrifice fly to center by Dan Terpak.
In the top of the second, Handler put La Salle up 5-2 with his first career home run - a solo shot to right field - then Villanova started its come-back.
They cut their deficit to 5-3 on an RBI double by Cotter in the bottom of the second, and then took their first lead of the afternoon with four runs in the fifth.
Cotter, who went 3-for-3 in the game with five RBI, knocked in two more with with his second round tripper of the day to right center. Then James Dolbier, who had four hits, did the same with a two-run shot to right field, which gave the Wildcats a 7-5 lead.
Brian Meagher doubled to start off the top of the sixth and Umstead put runners on the corners with a single, which would chase Hoffman.
Villanova (9-15) would call Kyle Carver in from the pen, and he induced a double-play on his second pitch, allowing Meagher to score. He would pitch two more perfect innings, striking out three to keep the Wildcats in the lead.
They would tack on two more in the bottom of the seventh - a Dain Hall RBI ground-out and a bases loaded walk by Cotter - to increase their lead to 9-6.
The Wildcats would call upon Gus Guida to pitch in the ninth, but he allowed three hits and got just one out as the Explorers rallied, forcing Villanova to call upon Shockley.
La Salle (4-23) now turns its attention to Atlantic 10 opponent Saint Louis, who they will face in a three-game series starting Friday in Saint Louis.
