Temple University Athletics
SAINT PETER'S STUNS TEMPLE WITH LATE COMEBACK
3.18.06 | Baseball
AMBLER, PA -- Saint Peter's scored six unanswered runs, including four in the top of the ninth inning, to record a 6-5 come-from-behind victory over Temple on Saturday at Ambler Field. The Peacocks used four walks and a hit batsman in their last at-bat to stun the hosts, who held a 5-0 lead after seven. Sophomore Arshwin Asjes extended his scoreless streak to 17 innings and allowed just one hit in five innings. He struck out five batters and lowered his ERA to 1.35.
Asjes earned the no-decision, however, as SPC starter Santo Maertz was just as good. He threw six shutout innings, allowing four hits and fanning five. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning when Temple took advantage of four Peacock errors to take a 5-0 lead.
Senior Marc Wagner led off the inning with a double and sophomore Tom Dolan was hit by a pitch. Junior Josh Wernick laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by SPC 3B Dave Lewandoski, who threw high to try to get Wagner at third. With the bases loaded, freshman Casey Sellen grounded to third, but Lewandoski's throw home was high, allowing Wagner and Dolan to cross the plate.
Sophomore Pat Riley then ripped a two-run single into right center and advanced to second on an error. After moving to third on a wild pitch, he scored on a balk to give Temple a 5-0 lead.
Saint Peter's answered back in the eighth, scoring a pair of runs off sophomore Eric Fritz. But the real damage came in the ninth. The Peacocks managed just one hit, but took advantage of four walks and a hit batsman against a quartet of Temple relievers. The tying and winning runs came on a failed pickoff attempt at third that ended up in foul territory.
Temple (5-9) was again hurt by free passes, as its staff issued 12 walks on the day. Saint Peter's had just four hits but was enough to earn the win. Wagner had two hits to pace the TU offense.
Frank Flynn (1-0) picked up the win for SPC (3-10), who has won two straight games after opening the season 1-10. The Peacocks defeated Villanova, 3-2, on Friday. Sophomore Rob Licata suffered the loss to drop to 1-1.
The game was the second of three in the Villanova Baseball Bash. Temple hosts St. Francis (N.Y.) on Sunday at noon at Ambler Field. Live statistics will be available via GameTracker.
