Owls Fall 2-1 To VCU In Series-Opener Despite Peterson's Complete Game Effort; Queja's On-Base Streak Ends At 32 Games

Friday, April 12

Richmond, VA

6:00 p.m.

Temple University

12-16, 0

VCU

16-15, 0

Temple

VCU

Owls Fall 2-1 To VCU In Series-Opener Despite Peterson's Complete Game Effort; Queja's On-Base Streak Ends At 32 Games

4.12.13 | Baseball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Sophomore LHP Patrick Peterson threw his first complete game of his career, but due to a lack of run support, him and the Owls endured a narrow 2-1 loss to Virginia Commonwealth Friday night at The Diamond. Trailing by a run in the eighth inning, sophomore Nick Lustrino (2-for-4) ripped an RBI-single to score freshman Jimmy Kerrigan, but the Rams responded in their half of the frame when Brent Mikionis lifted a sacrifice fly into right field to bring James Bunn in for the game-winning run.

With two outs in the ninth, the Owls managed to get the tying and go-ahead run on base, as junior David Hall took a two-out walk before Kerrigan moved him to second with a single past the second baseman, but senior Jordan Queja was jammed, as he flied out to center field.

Queja went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt on the night. It marked the first time that the Owls' leadoff hitter did not reach base in a game this season and for the first time in 33 games. The Miliani, Hawaii native carried the longest streak in the Atlantic 10 this season before it was halted on Friday evening.
Peterson, who tossed eight innings for the second time in his last three starts, struck out five VCU hitters and did not walk a batter, despite serving up a season-high nine hits. The Owls' southpaw dropped to 1-4 on the season.

VCU starter Heath Dwyer cruised through the first seven innings of his outing. After letting up the tying run on Lustrino's base hit, his day came to an end after 7.1 innings of work. Temple scattered seven of its eight hits over the course of his outing.

Reliever Matt Lees, who earned the win, stranded the tying and go-ahead run for the Owls. Temple finished the night by leaving nine runners on base.

Temple (12-17, 3-7 A-10) and VCU (16-15, 3-4 A-10) will clash for the series rubber match on Saturday at The Diamond for a 3:00 p.m. opening pitch. College Baseball Insider Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week sophomore Eric Peterson (4-0, 1.91 ERA) will have the ball for the Owls and will be opposed by RHP Ryan Farrar (3-3, 4.09 ERA).