Temple University Athletics
Mongiardini's Complete Game Shutout Gives Temple Series Victory With 7-0 Win Over SLU
4.29.07 | Baseball
April 29, 2007
AMBLER, PA - Sophomore Matt Mongiardini threw a complete-game shutout to lead Temple past Saint Louis, 7-0, on Sunday at Skip Wilson Field. The nine-inning shutout was the first by a Temple pitcher since junior Arshwin Asjes shut out Saint Joseph's, 2-0, on March 26, 2006 and only the second in the last five seasons. It ensured a series victory over the Billikens, keeping the Cherry and White in the hunt for the postseason.
Mongiardini scattered eight hits and recorded 14 fly-outs on the windy day in Ambler. He did walk five batters, but fought out of any jam that he found himself in. The sophomore stranded two runners each in the first, fourth and seventh, and left the bases loaded in the ninth to improve to 3-5.
"Matt pitched great for us," head coach Rob Valli said. "He worked out of some jams, made some great pitches and got big strikeouts in key spots for us."
While the final score indicated a seven-run victory, the game was much closer for most of the contest as Temple held a 2-0 lead through six. Sophomore Kyle Obal drove in a run in the second on a fielder's choice and TU added an unearned run in the third. Junior Ryan Weber singled to lead off the third and later scored on senior Dan Brady's mishandled groundball to short.
The hosts added five runs in their final two at-bats to give Mongiardini a nice cushion as the game neared completion. Brady had a two-run double to left in the seventh and scored on junior Mike Kelch's double to right. A two-run home run by junior Stan Orzechowski, his fourth of the season, provided the Owls with a 7-0 lead in the eighth.
Weber and Kelch had two hits each, while Brady's double moved him into a tie for fourth place on the career list for two-baggers. He now has 43 and is tied with Mike Palys '89.
Dave Sever (4-5) suffered the loss after allowing four earned runs in seven innings. He struck out five batters. Three Billikens (11-33, 7-10 A-10) had a pair of hits.
Temple (15-26, 7-11 A-10) takes on Lafayette on Tuesday at Skip Wilson Field. First pitch is set for 3:30 PM.
