ROCHESTER, N.Y. (April 5, 2008) – Freshman third baseman Ken Meerendonk went 2-for-6 on a pair of doubles and tallied three RBI on the day, however it wasn't enough as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team dropped two games (3-2, 13-3) to St. John Fisher College in conference play on Saturday in Rochester, N.Y. The Ducks totaled nine hits over the course of both games as they fall to 5-16 on the season and 0-6 in Empire 8 play.
In the top of the third in Game 1, freshman outfielder Matt Roman reached base on a walk then stole second. After sophomore infielder Eddie Daniele grounded out to the third baseman, sophomore outfielder Mark Rasulo drove in Roman off a shot up the middle to post the first run of the game. The Cardinals tied things up in the bottom of the fourth as sophomore outfielder Marc Montesano (New Hartford, N.Y.) doubled to right center with two outs. The ensuing batter, senior infielder Dave Roth (Churchville-Chili, N.Y.) plated Montesano as he doubled through the left side.
The score stayed knotted at 1-all till the top of the sixth. Stevens grabbed a one-run lead after Meerendonk drove in freshman outfielder Brian Skocypec with a double to right field. The lead didn't last long as Fisher responded in the bottom half of the inning. With two men on and one out, the Cardinals plated a pair of runners as a costly throwing error by the Ducks allowed Fisher to gain its first lead of the game. That was all that was needed as Stevens could not get anything going in the top of the seventh.
Sophomore lefty Joe Finora (1-4) was tagged with the loss for his six innings of work. He gave up only five hits and one earned run, while having struck out four batters. Roman finished the game 1-for-2 with a run scored. Rasulo batted 1-for-3 with an RBI in the loss.
Senior pitcher Ryan Hanson (G. Ray Bodley, N.Y.) earned his first win of the season (1-1) as he threw for six innings and allowed two earned runs and four hits. He also produced six strikeouts in the victory. Montesano led the way for the Cardinals having gone 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.
After Fisher took an early 3-0 lead in the second game, the Ducks responded in the top of the third with a pair of runs. Rasulo started the inning off with a single through the left side. Skocypec then reached base on a fielding error by the first baseman. Following two quick outs by Stevens, it had a pair of runners on as Meerendonk stepped to the plate. He doubled to left center which cleared the bases and cut the Cardinals lead 3-2. However, 10 runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings for Fisher blew the game open as it was to much of a deficit for the Ducks to come back from.
Freshman Dan Anunziatta (2-2) picked up the loss for his four innings pitched. He allowed eight earned runs and 10 hits. Rasulo batted 1-for-4 with a run scored. Skocypec also went 1-for-4 and added a pair of runs. Freshman catcher Denis Ackermann finished the game having gone 2-for-3 with an RBI. Meerendonk doubled for his only hit of the game and added a pair of RBI as well.
For Fisher (10-3-1, 2-0), senior pitcher Chad King (C.W. Baker, N.Y.) threw for five innings and rendered just three hits with no earned runs. Montesano had another solid performance having gone 2-for-3 with a run scored and a pair of RBI. Roth went 1-for-3 as he knocked his sixth homer of the year. He also added a run and two RBI in the victory. Sophomore infielder Kevin Wing (Webster Schroeder, N.Y.) batted 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored, while sophomore outfielder John Quartironi (Williamsville-East, N.Y.) was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored.
The Ducks will have a chance to avenge their recent loses as they will take on the Cardinals on Sunday in another doubleheader feature. The first game is slatted for a noon start in Rochester, N.Y. Live Stats will be provided at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/sjfc/baseball/.
