Temple University Athletics
OWLS DROP 5-3 DECISION TO RIDER
5.8.02 | Baseball
There was very little action early on as Owl starter, Bryan Stamm (Mifflinburg, Pa/Mifflinburg) breezed through the first five innings facing the minimum number of batters and Rider, on the other hand, used three pitchers through the first five innings holding the Owls scoreless.
Rider went on top in the visitors sixth. After two were out, the Broncs scored on two consecutive two-out singles and an infield error.
The Owls took the lead in the seventh off reliever and eventual winner, Evan Garcia (1-0). John Quigley (Bensalem, Pa/Bensalem) walked and moved to second on a bunt single by Sam Sabolchick (Hazleton, Pa/Hazleton Area). Following a sacrifice bunt by Keith Ramsey (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), Pete Colon (Birbsboro, Pa/Daniel Boone) singled in two runs to put the Owls on top, 2-1. But the lead didn't last for long.
In the top of the eighth, Justin Mendek (0-1) (Blackwood, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) the eventual loser who came on in the seventh and worked out of a jam, was touched up for three runs. A single and a walk was followed by a perfect hit-and-run double by David Sokolowski that gave the Broncs a 3-2 lead. Mike Caron (Yardley, Pa/Pennsbury) relieved Mendek and gave up three singles before Brian Ursone (Drexel Hill, Pa/Monsignor Bonner) came in to put out the fire as Rider took a 5-2 lead.
The Owls did get one back in the eighth as senior Joe Lyall (Levittown, Pa/Harry Truman) tripled with one out and was driven home on a single by Quigley.
Joey Hoey came on to put out the fire in the eighth and retired the Owls in the ninth to pick up his fifth save of the season.
The Owls are now off until the big weekend home series against the Saint Joseph's Hawks, a series which will decide the final playoff spot in the upcoming Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. A doubleheader is on tap beginning at 12 Noon and Saturday and a single game at Noon will wrap up the series on Sunday.
