April 2, 2011

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle baseball team split a doubleheader against Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field.

After winning the first game 4-3, the Explorers (15-11, 2-3) were unsuccessful in going for the sweep, despite holding a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning.

With the game tied at three in the bottom of the ninth, La Salle had an opportunity to win the game after Zach Feierstein (led off the frame with a double. Quality pitching by URI got the Rams (12-12, 2-3) out of trouble and forced the game to extra innings.

In the 10th, URI exploded for four runs off Dominic Sgroi to earn a 7-3 win and split the doubleheader.

In game one, La Salle erased a 2-0 deficit in the sixth with a leadoff home run by Jeff Flax. It was the first long ball of the year for the second baseman that extended his hitting streak to 22 games with the round tripper.Flax also recorded a pair of bunt singles in game two that extended his streak to 23 games overall.

Two batters later, Joe Bennie tied the game at two with an RBI double that plated Feierstein.

Trailing 3-2 in the eighth, Bennie was able to push across the tying run after he reached on an error by the second baseman, allowing Jon Gyles to score from second.

The next batter, Eric Kammler, ripped a double down the left field line that plated Bennie and put La Salle in front for good 4-3.

Closer Pat Christensen stranded the tying run at second and earned his seventh save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

Kevin Christy (3-2) earned the win for getting the last out in the eighth after starter Kevin Fuqua departed.

Fuqua earned a no decision and was effective in his outing, allowing just three runs (zero earned) and seven hits in 7.2 innings pitched with two walks and three strikeouts.

The two teams will play a rubber match on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. RHP Cody Weiss will start for La Salle. LHP Stephen Peterson for Rhode Island will oppose him.