March 24, 2009

Box Score

NORRSITOWN, Pa. - The Lafayette baseball squad came out on the short end of a pitchers' duel, dropping a 3-2 decision to St. Joseph's in the opening round of the Liberty Bell Classic, an event the Leopards had won two straight years. The game was knotted at two in the bottom of the ninth but the Hawks pushed across the game-winning run to advance to the semifinals.

Both teams managed double-digit hit totals but combined for only five runs. Lafayette (8-10) starter Corey Shea surrendered two runs in his three innings of work before giving way to rookie reliever Ian Dickson. Dickson had perhaps his most solid outing yet, tossing four shutout innings while scattering just three hits and striking out four.

Rob Froio and Jeff Butler both had two hits on the afternoon and A.J. Miller drove in the Leopards' only earned run.

The Hawks jumped out an early 2-0 first-inning lead thanks to a David Valesente RBI double and a RBI single off the bat of Brian Hartsell.

The score remained 2-0 for the next five innings and both teams went to their bullpens after the third inning.

Lafayette finally got on the board with two runs in the sixth inning. Matt Hall led off the inning with a triple and Miller's ground out sent Hall home to make it 2-1. Three walks loaded the bases and an error by St. Joseph's catcher Phil Pursino allowed the game-tying run to score.

The game seemed destined for extra innings as it remained 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth. Senior closer Brian Mostek, who had entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning, gave up a leadoff single to Mike Boyland. A sac bunt and two singles followed, the second of which allowed Boyland to score the game winner.

The Leopards are back on the road tomorrow with a 3 p.m. game at Wagner.

Postgame Notes:
- Tuesday's loss snapped Lafayette's eight straight Liberty Bell Classic victories. The Leopards last loss came in the 2006 championship game against La Salle.
- Jeff Butler extended his hit streak to six games.