Temple University Athletics
Rutgers Needs Extra Innings To Top Temple, 11-8
3.10.09 | Baseball
March 10, 2009
AMBLER, PA - Rutgers scored three runs with two outs in the top of the tenth inning to spoil Temple's home opener by an 11-8 score on Wednesday at Skip Wilson Field. The Owls rallied back from a 7-0 deficit to tie the game in the seventh but could not overcome the Scarlet Knights in their first visit to TU since 1995. Senior Carmen Del Mastro and sophomore Byron McKoy each had three hits for the Owls.
With the score knotted at 8-8 after nine innings, Rutgers received a lead-off single from Michael Lang to open the extra frame off sophomore reliever Jordan Cannon. He moved to second on Dan Betteridge's sacrifice bunt but could not advance on a pop-up, bringing former freshman All-American Jaren Matthews to the plate.
For the second consecutive at-bat, Temple chose to intentionally walk the feared slugger. Unlike in the seventh when Jayson Hernandez struck out swinging to help the Owls get out of a jam, the Rutgers catcher came through in a tight spot. The junior lined a 3-2 pitch into centerfield, driving in two runs to give RU a 10-8 lead. Luis Feliz, who had three hits, added an RBI single for insurance.
Scarlet Knights closer Ryan Beard recorded his third save of the season with a scoreless tenth to send the Owls to defeat for the sixth straight time.
After senior Sean Barksdale's home run tied the score in the seventh, the Cherry and White had an opportunity to win it in the ninth. Del Mastro led off with a single, stole second and moved to third on senior Kyle Obal's fly-out to right.
Senior Jamie Abercrombie, who had two hits and three RBI, worked a walk but senior Mark Ortega's fly-ball to left stayed in the park to send the game into extra innings.
Despite the defeat, Temple fought back after an early 7-0 deficit. The Owls scored four in the third and three more in the fifth to cut the deficit to 8-7.
Del Mastro had a two-run single to put the Cherry and White on the board in the third, and Obal followed with an RBI groundout to make the score 7-3. Abercrombie had a two-out single to drive home Barksdale to finish the rally. In the fifth, Abercrombie had a two-out, two-run double and Ortega followed with a RBI single to bring the Owls within one.
Cannon (1-1) suffered the loss, despite throwing well for the Owls in relief. He got out of a bases-loaded, one out jam in the sixth and did not allow a runner past second until tiring in the tenth. His final line was three earned runs in 4.2 innings and included four strikeouts.
Kevin Lillis (2-1) picked up the win for Rutgers, pitching two scoreless frames. Lang had three hits and three RBI to pace the Scarlet Knights offense.
Del Mastro (.472) and Abercrombie (.448) continue to pace the Temple offense, which has scored 19 runs in its last two defeats. Del Mastro is riding an 11-game hitting streak dating back to last season, while Abercrombie is six for his last seven and has been on base eight of his last nine plate appearances.
Temple (2-7) returns to host Manhattan on Friday at Skip Wilson Field. First pitch is set for 3 PM.
