Temple University Athletics
TIM FOULKROD'S COMPLETE GAME EARNS BASEBALL SPLIT WITH SAINT JOSEPH'S
4.24.04 | Baseball
With the Owls sitting at 4-5 in conference play, Temple looked like they were anything but interested in playing baseball in the opener.
From the outset, the Hawks were helped by some poor defensive play in the field. Saint Joseph's (9-33, 3-11) jumped on Temple starter and loser Justin Mendek (2-2) for three runs, two of which were unearned, in the opening frame.
Ryan Stadanlick opened the game with a double and scored on an RBI single by Jason Tarewicz. One out later, right fielder Pete Colon had trouble with a wind-blown fly ball, putting runners on second and third. A Mike Gentile ground out scored one run and the second unearned run crossed the plate on a Greg Mason single off Mendek's glove.
Saint Joseph's first game starter Ryan Hoagey (2-5) held the Owls scoreless for the first four frames as the Hawks built a 9-0 lead.
The visitors added a pair of runs in the fourth after the Owls' failed to get an out on a sacrifice bunt attempt and added three runs in the fifth after Temple saw an infield pop up fall in-between three Temple infielders as Volker crossed the plate with the second of three runs.
Temple (16-15, 5-6) got four runs back in the fifth to draw within 9-4. Two walks opened the inning. John Quigley followed with an RBI single up to middle. It was Quigley's 100th career RBI in an Owl uniform. Freddy Hilliard followed with a perfect bunt single to load the bases. A walk and an RBI single by Colon cut the SJU lead to 9-4.
However, the Hawks came back with two runs of their own in the visitor's sixth to close out the scoring.
In the second game, it was all Tim Foulkrod, as the tall righthander limited the Hawks to just three hits in throwing his first complete game of the season.
The Owls jumped on Hawk starter Adrian Petrutz (2-4) for a pair of runs in the opening inning of the second game. The big hit came off the bat of third baseman Mike Weckenman. His two-out bases loaded single staked the Owls to a 2-0 lead.
Saint Joseph's scored their only run in the visitor's fourth against Foulkrod (3-4). Second baseman Jason Tarewicz led off with a double to left center. First baseman Freddy Hilliard stole a sure hit off the bat of Bill McCollum with a great diving play in the hole, flipping to Foulkrod just in time to get McCollum as Tarewicz moved to third. An infield single by Jason Volker plated Tarewicz.
The Owls would score an insurance run off complete game loser Petrutz (2-4) in the sixth. Roach singled to start the inning but was forced at second on an unsuccessful sacrifice bunt attempt. Pete Colon singled Jason Connnor to third and he would score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mike Weckenman.
Foulkrod retired the Hawks in order in the final frame to pick up his third win and his first complete game victory of the season.
The Owls did catch a break in conference play earlier this afternoon. St. Bonaventure and UMass, both ahead of the Owls in the eastern division of the Atlantic 10, were swept in doubleheaders. The Bonnies (6-5) were fell at home to Rhode Island (12-1) while UMass (5-6) was beaten at home by Fordham (7-7).
In other A-10 action, George Washington (11-3) won a doubleheader at Dayton (6-8) while Richmond (8-3) won a twinbill at home against Duquesne (5-6).
Temple, in a must game, will close out the three-game home series tomorrow against Saint Joseph's at noon.
