Temple University Athletics
DEFENSIVE MISCUES COSTLY AS DREXEL COMES BACK TO DEFEAT OWLS, 7-6
4.30.02 | Baseball
The defensive lapses cost freshman Justin Mendek Gloucester, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) his first career victory. The lefthander pitched six strong innings, allowing just three hits and three runs before yielding to reliever Brian Ursone, who gave up three unearned runs in the home seventh.
The Owls took a 3-0 lead in the visitors second. Al Roach (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) homered with one out to get the Owls going. Keith Ramsey (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) then hit a wind blown double and after a Mike Weckenman (Newtown, PA/Council Rock) walk, Pete Colon (Birdsbor, PA/Daniel Boone) singled to drive in a run. The Owls final run of the inning scored on a Fred Hilliard (Upper Darby/Upper Darby) single to left.
The Dragons touched up Mendek for two runs in the bottom of the inning. Braden Watson led off with a single and Josh Yocum followed with a home run to right to make the score 3-2.
The Owls scored their final three runs in the fifth. Catcher Jeff Roma (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) doubled and went to third on an error by the centerfielder. Sam Sabolchick (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area) then plated Roma with a sacrifice fly to center. Al Roach then got his second hit on the day and Keith Ramsey followed with a two-run homer.
Meanwhile, Mendek was breezing along until Braden Watson, who had four of the eight Dragon hits, belted a solo homer to slice the lead in half.
The Owls summoned Brian Ursone from the bullpen to begin what looked like an innocent seventh inning. After retiring the first two hitters, Drexel then plated three runs to tie the game. Harry Ley hit a sharp grounder down the third base line that Sabolchick field cleanly, but his throw to first was dropped by Colon, opening the flood gates as a steady rain came down. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases and a single by pinch hitter Bruce Boehm drove in two runs. Branden Watson then singled to tie the game at six. Harley Nager (Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna) then come on and retired Josh Yocum for the final out of the inning.
The Dragons Shane Carroll (2-2), who eventually was the winner, shutout the Owls over the final three frames, allowing just one hit.
Drexel won the game in the bottom of the ninth. Mike Francis singled off loser Harley Nager and Brandon Bruno (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) came on to pitch. Ben Sniecinski then bunted and Bruno, trying to get Francis as second, threw the ball into centerfield, as runners moved up to second and third. Here, after an intentional walk, Watson got his fourth hit on the day, the game-winner to left.
The Owls take on Villanova tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. at Richie Ashburn Park in South Philadelphia.
