March 20, 2010

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle Baseball fell behind early and rallied late, but its deficit was too much to overcome and the Explorers dropped a 20-11 decision to Pittsburgh in non-conference action at Hank DeVincent Field Saturday afternoon.

A day after pounding out a season-high 16 hits, the Explorers had five players with a multi-hit afternoon in an 18-hit day for the team. They were led by Eric Kammler, who had four base knocks including two infield base hits and added two runs and a two-RBI double.

Jon Gyles had three hits, two RBI and one run scored, John Malloy had two hits, three RBI and a run scored, while Brian Meagher (two RBI) and Mike Canfarotta (two runs) also had two hits each.

Pittsburgh (13-4) opened the game by putting seven runs on the board in the first, and then two runs in the second and third to take an early 11-0 lead. They tacked on two more in the sixth to make it a 13-run advantage.

In the bottom of the seventh, La Salle finally broke through on Panther starter Kevin Dooley and cut their deficit to 13-7. Eleven Explorers stepped to the plate and started the frame with four straight singles.

The last was off the bat of Malloy, who brought home two. Brendan Norton and Gyles each drove home another and Kammler then drove in two with his double.

La Salle (2-13) plated another after Norton hit a two-out double and came home on a Gyles single to make it a five-run game.

However, the Panthers tacked on seven of their own in the ninth to all but put the game away.

The Explorers did add three more in the bottom of the frame with Malloy knocking home one and Meagher bringing in two.

La Salle will continue its home stand on Sunday when hosting Niagara with first pitch scheduled for 12 PM.