Temple University Athletics
OWLS ON BRINK OF ELIMINATION AFTER DOUBLEHEADER DEFEAT AT GEORGE WASHINGTON
5.7.03 | Baseball
The Colonials won the first game, 5-1, behind the complete game effort from starter, Dan Pfau (5-0), who allowed just one run on eight hits. He also struck out five while walking just one. Sophomore Justin Mendek (Blackwood, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) (2-5) took the loss for the Owls. Mendek went 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on four hits. He walked only two, but those two came around to score in the opening inning after the Owls had taken a 1-0 lead.
The Owls threatened in both the second and fourth innings, only to see the innings end with runners thrown out at the plate. In the second, Al Roach (Medford, NJ/Shawnee), who had three hits in the first game, was thrown out at home by left fielder, Anthony Raglani, after Mike Silverman (Owings Mills, Md/McDonogh) had singled. In the fourth, Rob Cucinotta (Drexel Hill, Pa/Monsignor Bonnor) was thrown out at home when the Owls tried a double-steal.
In the nightcap, first baseman Rob Cucinotta broke Temple's all-time home run mark, when he hit his 31st career home run in the first inning off Josh Wilkie. The senior broke Bobby Higginson's mark that he has held since 1992. The current Detroit Tiger played for the Owls in 1989 and again in 1991 and 1992.
The home run wasn't enough as George Washington took advantage of three walks in the bottom of the first from starter and loser, Brian Ursone (Collingdale, Pa/Monsignor Bonnor)(0-4). The Colonials would put up a five spot in the opening inning and never look back.
The Owls touched up Colonial starter, Josh Wilkie (6-2), for two runs in the first and one in the second, but the crafty righty settled down and blanked the Owls from there.
The game was called after a lengthy rain delay with the Colonials up, 7-3, in the middle of the seventh.
The Owls must now sweep their weekend series, beginning on Friday at home against Rhode Island, and hope for some help from La Salle and Dayton. However, both teams are on the road and need sweeps in order for the Owls to advance to the conference playoffs beginning next week in Norwich, Connecticut.
