Temple University Athletics
Heltz's Big Day Leads Temple Past Duquesne, 14-11
4.19.08 | Baseball
April 19, 2008
AMBLER, PA - Sophomore Matt Heltz went 5-for-5 with six RBI and drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh to lead Temple past Duquesne, 14-11, on Cherry and White Day on Saturday at Skip Wilson Field. The victory propels the Owls (19-17, 10-4) into a tie for second place in the Atlantic 10 and just one game back of league-leading Charlotte.
"I thought our team had a tremendous, never-say-die attitude," head coach Rob Valli said. "I'm just really proud of the effort we gave today and it makes tomorrow even more important."
The Temple offense recorded a season-high 18 hits, including seven for extra-bases, in front of a big crowd in Ambler, who enjoyed the festivities of the day, which included the annual spring football game. Heltz had a career-high three doubles and tied his career-high with six RBI, set last season at George Mason on May 2, 2007.
Senior Mike Kelch had three hits and knocked in three, while freshman Byron McKoy had three hits, including a two-run homer to straightaway center field. Juniors Jamie Abercrombie and Sean Barksdale both had two hits for Temple.
The Owls tied the game at 9-9 with three runs in the fifth, two coming on McKoy's blast to center. Abercrombie followed with a triple and scored on Barksdale's single to center.
Temple took its first lead of the game in the sixth on Kelch's RBI single that plated Heltz after his third and final double. Duquesne tied it up at 10-10 in the seventh on a pinch-hit double by Mark Tracy, but the Owls opened it up in the bottom of the inning.
Freshman Steve Nikorak led off the inning with a double and Abercrombie (walk) and senior Tom Dolan (hit by pitch) loaded the bases with one out.
A strikeout gave the Dukes the second out, but Heltz, who was already 4-for-4 at the time, lined a two-run single to left to put TU ahead 12-10. Kelch's single to right was misplayed into a two-base error, allowing Dolan and Heltz to cross the plate to open up the largest lead of the game for the hosts.
Senior Arshwin Asjes allowed an earned run in the ninth but closed the door by striking out the final two batters of the game. Sophomore Ryan Thomas picked up the win after allowing an earned run in three innings. He improved to 2-1.
Duquesne opened up the scoring with four runs in the first, but the Owls answered with three in the bottom of the frame. Heltz had a two-run double and Kelch drove in one with a single in the inning.
The Dukes made it 7-3 in the second, but Heltz's second two-run double in as many innings cut it to 7-5. DU added single runs in the third and fourth to make it 9-5, but the Owls outscored the visitors 9-2 the rest of the way.
Eric Morrison had two hits and knocked in four for Duquesne. Lawrence Anderson (2-1) received the loss after allowing four earned runs in two innings.
The Cherry and White won for the fifth time in its last six games, including four straight in league play. Temple's 19 wins and 10 league victories are the most since the Owls won 23 games and 10 A-10 contests in 2004.
With a victory by Charlotte, the 49ers moved into sole possession of first place with an 11-3 A-10 record. Temple and Duquesne are tied for second, one game ahead of Xavier (9-5)
The series concludes on Sunday at 1 PM.
