Temple University Athletics
BASEBALL WINS SEASON OPENER IN DRAMATIC FASHION AGAINST DETROIT MERCY
3.5.04 | Baseball
The Owls (1-0) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a RBI single by center fielder John Quigley (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) that scored designated hitter Jason Adamek (Eagleville, PA/Methacton) who singled in his first plate appearance as an Owl.
After Detroit (0-7) tied the game in the visitors second, the Owls took a one-run lead in the bottom of the third on a single by Mike Weckenman (Newtown, Pa/Council Rock), the first of his two runs batted in.
The Titans tied the score in the fifth on a home run off the bat of Charlie Anderson. However, the lead was short lived.
The Owls plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on a Weckenman double and a single by catcher Mike Brown (Philadelphia, PA/Chestnut Hill Academy).
Detroit would tie the game in the eighth with two runs off reliever, Tim Brown (Newtown Square, PA/St. Joseph's Prep), who entered the game in the sixth inning following a strong start by left hander Justin Mendek (Blackwood, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) who allowed just two runs in five innings pitched.
The Titans would reach relievers Josiah Platchek (Pottstown, PA/Spring-Ford) and Tim Foulkrod (Cheltenham, PA/Cheltenham) for four runs in the extra inning frame. After Alex Martin was hit by a pitch, pinch hitter Joe Kotowski plated Martin with a single. Back-to-back singles by Jason Chapieski and Jamey Embree chased Platchek and a pair of singles off Foulkrod rounded out the Titan scoring.
Marc Wagner (Collegeville, PA/Kennedy-Kenrick) made the most out of his first plate appearance as an Owl with a pinch hit single to start the uprising. A pair of walks loaded the bases. After a pitching change, Adamek singled in one run and John Quigley delivered a two-run single. Pete Colon (Birdsboro, PA/Birdsboro) followed with a single that loaded the bases and shortstop Jason Connor(Norristown, PA/Kennedy-Kendrick) delivered a two-run game-winning single to give the Owls the victory.
It was a long day for the Owls, one which saw the team depart from the Ambler Campus at 5:00 am
to catch a plane at Philadelphia International Airport. The team checked into the dormitories at the sports complex in Homestead, Florida in the afternoon. They proceeded over to the Homestead Sports Complex field late in the afternoon only to find out that the opener, which had been scheduled for 7:00 pm would not start until 8:20 pm. However, the Owls bats never missed a beat. They pounded out 18 hits, including three each by Adamek, Quigley and Colon.
The Owls continue play tomorrow evening at the Papa John Homestead Challenge at 7:00 pm against Maine.
