Temple University Athletics
Temple Remains Hot In 9-6 Victory over St. Joe's
3.30.08 | Baseball
March 30, 2008
NORRISTOWN, PA - Temple collected a season-high 16 hits and parlayed a six-run sixth inning into a 9-6 victory over Saint Joseph's in the series finale on Sunday at Latshaw-McCarthy Field. Freshman Byron McKoy had four hits, including a double, and stole two bases to lead the Owls, who have opened Atlantic 10 play with a 5-1 record first time in five years. A game out of first place, the Cherry and White (13-9, 5-1) host conference leader and #23 Charlotte (21-3, 6-0) next weekend at Skip Wilson Field.
One day after having their bats silenced by SJU starter Randy Mower, the Owls rebounded at the plate. Five players had at least two hits, including three each by junior Mark Ortega and junior Carmen Del Mastro. Senior Mike Kelch added two more hits and drove in three, including a two-run double in the sixth.
Temple had rallies killed by double-plays in the second and third, but cut the deficit to 2-1 on Ortega's single in the fourth. The Hawks (9-16, 2-4) put up a three-spot in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead but the hosts would only score one more run the rest of the way.
Senior Stan Orzechowski singled to open the sixth, stole second and scored on McKoy's single. After a line-out, sophomore Matt Heltz singled and Ortega began a stretch of three-straight doubles for the Owls, with Kelch and junior Kyle Obal joining in on the action. Del Mastro finished things off with a RBI single of his own to give the visitors a 7-5 advantage.
The Owls went to the bullpen in relief of senior Mike Mongiardini with sophomore Ryan Thomas. The 6-5 right-hander continued to impress in his role as a set-up man and earned his first collegiate win with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
Kelch made it 8-5 in the seventh with his RBI single and McKoy added another insurance run with an RBI double in the eighth. The Owls then turned to senior closer Arshwin Asjes, who pitched the final two innings to close the door.
Jeremy Jakubowski led Saint Joseph's with two hits and two RBI. Justin Trudell (1-5) suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs in 0.2 innings.
The Cherry and White has an important week ahead, beginning by hosting Lehigh in the semifinals of the Liberty Bell Classic on Tuesday at 3 PM. The winner of that game will advance to the LBC finals at Citizens Bank Park on April 8.
Following a date with Rider on Wednesday, #23 Charlotte will visit the Owls in a crucial Atlantic 10 series beginning on Friday. It marks the first time Temple has hosted a ranked team at Skip Wilson Field.
Every game this week except for Sunday will be streamed live on Owl Access. Monthly subscriptions are $9.95.
