Temple University Athletics
Abercrombie's Pinch-Hit Single In Eighth Gives Owls 6-5 Win Over Buffalo
3.11.07 | Baseball
March 11, 2007
AMBLER, PA - Sophomore Jamie Abercrombie delivered a clutch two-out, pinch-hit single in the bottom of the eighth innings to drive in the go-ahead run and give Temple a 6-5 victory over Buffalo in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader at Skip Wilson Field. It was Abercrombie's second game-winning hit of his career, as he had a walk-off single to beat Long Island, 7-6, on March 17, 2006. The game was the earliest home-opener in the 80-year history of Temple baseball.
"Jaime likes to play in the key spot," Temple head coach Rob Valli said. "He did exactly what we expected him to do, which was deliver the big hit."
Temple led 4-0 early on, but saw the lead evaporate in the late innings when Buffalo scored a run in the fifth, two in the sixth and two unearned in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead. The Bulls could have added to the advantage in the eighth but junior Stan Orzechowski threw out a runner at the plate to end the inning.
Sophomore Lenny DelGrippo singled up the middle to lead off the eighth and was replaced by classmate Carmen Del Mastro at first. Sophomore Sean Barksdale then doubled deep to right to plate Del Mastro and tie the score and chase UB reliever Matt Francavillo.
The next two batters were retired to leave Abercrombie with a chance to give TU the lead. The lefty lined a shot just past the outstretched glove of Buffalo SS Brad Augustin to plate Barksdale and put the hosts ahead, 6-5.
Sophomore Matt Mongiardini then retired the side in the ninth to pick up his first win in a Temple jersey. He pitched 3.2 innings of relief without allowing an earned run.
Temple got on the scoreboard with four runs in the third. Senior Dan Brady extended his hitting streak to nine games with a two-run double and two batters later, junior Devon Swope hit a two-run single to left to put the Owls up, 4-0.
TU (3-9) starter Arshwin Asjes pitched out of jams in the third and fourth innings, stranding five Bulls between the two frames. He allowed nine hits in 5.1 innings, but only five left the infield, and gave up three earned runs.
Brady went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and Barksdale was 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Tony Fuller and Rick Oliveri each had two hits for Buffalo (1-7). Francavillo (0-1) suffered the loss after giving up two earned runs in one inning.
