HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 30, 2008) – Freshman third baseman Ken Meerendonk recorded his second home run of the season as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team dropped another pair of games to conference foe Ithaca College on Sunday in Hoboken, N.J. The Ducks (4-14, 0-4 Empire 8) have lost five straight as they were held to just four runs in two games during today's doubleheader against the Bombers (10-6, 4-0). Stevens fell 9-3 in the first game then 8-1 in the second.
In Game 1, Ithaca scored in the top of the first with two outs as senior infielder Josh Smith (Pulaski, N.Y.) singled to right field, which plated senior outfielder Matt Samela (Westport, Conn.). The Bombers added a run in the top of the third off the bat of junior catcher Drew Ash (Denville, N.J.). He belted the ball to deep left field for a solo shot as he posted his second home run of the season.
The Ducks responded though in the bottom of the fourth with three runs of their own to take a 3-2 lead. With one out, sophomore outfielder Anthony Andrews got on base with a bunt single down the third-base line. He was awarded second as the ball got away from the first baseman and rolled into dead-ball territory. Meerendonk then stepped to the plate and launched his second collegiate homer of his career with a bomb to right field. Now with the bases empty and two outs, freshman catcher Denis Ackermann singled up the middle. The ensuing batter, sophomore outfielder Brian Skocypec doubled off the right field fence as Ackermann came in to score the third run of the inning.
Ithaca then tied the ballgame up in the top of the fifth off the bat of Smith, who lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, that plated senior first baseman Eric Ferguson (East Greenbush, N.Y.) from third. With the game now tied at 3-all, the Ducks had a perfect opportunity to regain a lead in the bottom of the fifth. The inning started as sophomore infielder Eddie Daniele singled to right field. He then reached third as sophomore outfielder T.J. Abone (Rome, N.Y.) made a diving effort to catch the ball, however came up short as the ball bounced over his glove and rolled to the back of the fence. The following batter, sophomore infielder Shawn Dorman struck out swinging however reached first as the ball got away from the catcher and Dorman was able to beat the throw. He then stole second base cleanly. With no outs and men in scoring position, sophomore outfielder Mark Rasulo grounded out to first for out number one. Andrews then stepped to the plate and reached first on a fielder's choice as Daniele tried to score but was putout by the catcher from the pitcher. The inning ended with a force out to second.
In the final two innings the Ducks were held scoreless as the Bombers added six runs to end the game by a 9-3 decision. Senior pitcher Shane Wolf (Freeville, N.Y.) threw a seven-hit, seven-inning complete game as he increased his record to 3-1 on the year. Wolf rendered just three runs and struck out nine batters. Senior pitcher David Katusa was tagged with the loss as he came in during the top of the fifth with the game tied at 3-3.
The Bombers were led by Ferguson, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Ash batted 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of runs scored. Freshman third baseman David Ahonen (Farmington, N.Y.) went 3-for-4 with a double, a pair of RBI and two runs scored in the win.
Game 2 started with Ithaca once again having posted a run in the top of the first inning. Senior outfielder Rob Raux (Frankfort, N.Y.) plated Wolf off a single up the middle. The Ducks responded in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 1-1 as freshman outfielder Matt Roman drove in Katusa with a single to right field.
The Bombers regained the lead in the top of the third as Raux recorded his second RBI of the game. He plated Ferguson on a groundout to the left side. Ithaca added a run in the top of the fourth to grab a 3-1 lead. Ahonen registered his first collegiate home run with a solo shot to right field. The Bombers added five more runs between the sixth and seventh innings as they went on to win 8-1.
Roman led Stevens as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Katusa, Andrews and Rasulo each posted a hit in the game. Senior pitcher Chris Burgess (0-3) was tagged with the loss for his six innings of work. He allowed four earned runs on 11 hits.
For Ithaca, Smith led as he batted 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. He also notched his first home run of the season. Sophomore pitcher Tom Fishback (Webster, N.Y.) earned the win (1-0) as he threw for four innings. Fishback gave up a run on three hits. Junior pitcher Bryan Gardner (Fairport, N.Y.) came in to start the bottom of the fifth and earned the save for his three innings of work as he allowed just two hits, while having collected seven strikeouts.
Stevens will return to action on Wednesday when it hosts the Rangers of Drew University at 7 p.m. in Hoboken, N.J.
