Peterson Loses No-No in the 9th; Owls Drop Game 2 to Saint Louis, 2-1

Saturday, March 24

St. Louis, Mo.

1:00 p.m.

Temple University

10-13, 0-2

Saint Louis

18-5, 2-0

Temple

Saint Louis

Khan doubled in the eight and scored Temple's only run

Peterson Loses No-No in the 9th; Owls Drop Game 2 to Saint Louis, 2-1

3.24.12 | Baseball

Box Score

Box Score

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Despite losing in walk-off fashion to the Saint Louis Billikens in the day's second game, the Temple Owls will remember this game for the mere fact that they almost witnessed something that no one on the team may ever come close to witnessing again.

Freshman Patrick Peterson not only pitched effectively having his sixth quality start in as many chances, but carried a no-run, no-hit ballgame through the first eight innings.

Three outs away, history looked as if it was about to be made, but the rookie sensation southpaw surrendered a double to leadoff pinch hitter Mike Vigliarolo in the ninth inning to abolish the no-no.

Peterson set down the first 17 batters he faced, giving him a perfect game through 6.2 innings until he got to Alec Sole, who worked for a walk after battling a 3-2 count and an eight-pitch at-bat.

The left hander from Bear, Delaware, who pitched a perfect game while playing in high school for the Charter School of Wilmington, was well on his way to another no-hitter as he set down the next seven batters.

With Jabair Khan on second base after ripping a double with one out in the top half of the eighth inning, Foster Dunigan came to the plate where he slapped a single to score Kahn to give Peterson the last element needed to accomplish the feat in its entirety.

Peterson returned for the eighth inning and set down Grant Nelson, CJ Rose and Danny Brennan, putting himself three outs away from carrying out the milestone and claiming the 1-0 win for the Owls.

After Vigliarolo reached second in the ninth and stood in scoring position with the Owls leading by only a run, Peterson's extraordinary outing came to a close when he was lifted for closer Brian Sustersic.

Jordan Hammerman ran for Vigliarolo before Sole singled on a bunt to move Hammerman 90 feet away from tying the ballgame.

After a wild pitch and a walk, the bases were loaded for Marco Dirmoa who clubbed a single to tie the ballgame when Hammerman crossed the plate.

The tying run closed the book on Peterson's day, which finalized his line to 8.0 innings pitched where he allowed one run on one hit, while issuing a run and fanning away a career-high 10 batters.

Steve Visnic came in to take over for Sustersic with the bases loaded. Alex Kelly greeted Sustersic with a base hit to win the ballgame for the Billikens in walk-off fashion.

The Owls, who experience tales of two different emotions, fall to 10-13 on the year and 0-2 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Saint Louis continues to sizzle as it has now won 12-straight, continuing to extend its school-record long winning streak. The Billikens are now 2-0 in A-10 play and are 8-0 at the Billiken Sports Center this season.

Temple and Saint Louis will meet again Sunday for the series' rubber match at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Owls will send Steve Nikorak to the hill while the Billikens call upon Damian Rivera for the series finale.