Temple University Athletics
OWLS FINISH UP FLORIDA TRIP WITH 7-6 12-INNING LOSS TO RHODE ISLAND
3.17.02 | Baseball
The homer came off Owl pitcher Bryan Stamm (0-2), who entered the game in the ninth inning and pitched three scoreless innings before giving up the game-winner.
The Owls fell behind early and trailed 3-0 before erupting for four runs in the sixth inning. Freshman Jason Connor led off the inning with a walk and Joe Lyall singled Connor to third. Fred Hilliard hit a sacrifice fly to left scoring Connor. Jeff Roma walked and a wild pitch scored Lyall, who had moved to third on Hilliard's fly out. Following a Keith Ramsey walk, Gene Burpoe singled in a run and Ramsey finished off the scoring on the back end of a double-steal.
Rhode Island came right back in the home sixth scoring three runs on five hits off starter Mike Caron and reliever Justin Mendek. Two of the runs came off Caron while the third run was charged to Mendek, who pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth innings.
Trailing by two heading into the ninth, Mike Weckenman started the rally with a single to center. Pete Colon followed with the same and after a strikeout, Lyall had an infield single to load the bases. After Fred Hilliard hit into a force play scoring a run, Al Roach doubled in the tying run as Colon scored.
The Owls threatened in the 10th inning loading the bases with nobody out but failed to score. Weckenman flied to short left as the runners held. Colon struck out looking and Connor bounced out to end the threat.
The game stayed tied until Schiappa unloaded his home run against Stamm to end the game and the Owls Florida trip.
The Owls finished the Florida trip 2-7, although an out heare or a run there could have produced just the opposite record.
The Owls open up their 2002 home schedule at Erny Field on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. when they take on Villanova. The Owls continue their homestand on Wednesday when Delaware comes to town. The first pitch is also slated for 3:00 p.m.
