MADISON, N.J. (April 1, 2009) – Sophomore catcher Denis Ackermann went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and two runs batted in as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team fell, 14-10 in a six-inning decision on Wednesday afternoon in Madison, N.J. Despite a six-run first-inning by Stevens, the weather was not on the Ducks side as the game was called due to rain. Stevens managed to post another five runs in the bottom of the fifth, however could not overcome the Rangers offensive prowess as the Ducks move to 10-10 on the year.
Junior centerfielder Mark Rasulo started the game off with his first triple of the season. Freshman second baseman Tom Phillips followed it up with an infield single. Sophomore third baseman Ken Meerendonk was then struck by a pitch to load the bases for junior right fielder Russ Grimes. He came through with a two-run double to plate both Rasulo and Phillips. Ackermann then roped a single to drive in Meerendonk and Grimes as the Ducks took an early 4-0 lead. Sophomore infielder Matt Glassman doubled to put Ackermann on third as Stevens had a pair of men in scoring position. Senior first baseman Dan Silva singled to plate a pair of runs to extend the lead to six. The inning ended there after on a fly out, strikeout and ground out.
Drew tied the game up at 6-all through three innings of play. The Rangers then took a three run lead in the bottom half of the fourth. However the Ducks responded to regain the advantage off a four-run inning in the top of the fifth. Ackermann singled to start the inning off. That was followed up with a walk by Glassman as Ackermann took third on a passed ball. With men on the corners, Silva reached base on an error by the shortstop as Ackermann came in to score. After a force out at third off a fielders choice by junior shortstop Eddie Daniele, junior left fielder Anthony Andrews delivered a double to plate Silva. Following a pitching change, Daniele scored on a wild pitch. Andrews scored the final run of the game for the Ducks after he swiped home on a double steal Rasulo coming up safe at second on the throw down.
Freshman pitcher Rudy Morin came in to throw in the fifth. He gave up a leadoff double to start a two-run inning for the Rangers with one of the runs having scored on an error. The unearned run gave Drew an 11-10 lead, as the Ducks went down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth. A heavier rain in the bottom of the sixth doomed the Ducks as the Rangers came away with the win to move to 5-13.
Stevens will resume Empire 8 play as the Ducks will take on Ithaca College in a pair of doubleheaders this weekend as Game 1 is slatted for a noon start.
