May 25, 2011

Box Score Photo Gallery

CAMDEN, NJ - Zack Feierstein scored the go ahead run in 13th inning to propel No. 6 La Salle past No. 3 Dayton 6-5 in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Championship on Wednesday afternoon at Campbell's Field.

Feierstein finished the day 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored as La Salle advances to take on No. 2 Rhode Island on Thursday afternoon in the winner's bracket.

Kevin Fuqua started on the hill for La Salle and pitched 6.2 quality frames. The right-hander also moved into first place on the all-time La Salle strikeout list with six punch-outs in the game, improving his career total to 222.

The Explorers (28-24) scored five runs in the fourth inning of Dayton starter Burny Mitchem to take a 5-1 lead. Jeff Flax, Joe Bennie and Feierstein each had RBI in the inning for La Salle.

Trailing 5-2, the Flyers (30-26) responded and put up a three-spot in the seventh, knocking Fuqua out of the game and nodding the score at 5-5.

Kevin Christy worked very impressive outing in relief of Fuqua and went 4.1 shutout frames to keep the game within reach for La Salle. Christensen (3-2) also pitched two perfect frames in the 12th and 13th innings to earn his third victory of the season.

In the decisive top of the 13th, George Smith Jr. ripped a one-out single off Dayton reliever Mike Hauschild. Smith Jr. then traded places with Feierstein at first after a fielder's choice.

Tony Negrin followed with a walk that pushed the go ahead run to second with two out. Brendan Norton then ripped a ground ball to the right side that checked off the second baseman's glove and into right field, scoring Feierstein and giving La Salle the lead for good.

The play was ruled an error on the second baseman Mel Skochdopole, Dayton's second fielding mishap of the day.

La Salle will rest up before taking on No. 2 Rhode Island at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Rams took 2-of-3 from the Explorers earlier this season at Hank DeVincent Field.

Live stats and audio will be available on GoExplorers.com.