Baseball Drops A Heartbreaker To William Paterson In Extra Innings

3/27/2010 12:00:00 AM

WAYNE, N.J. (March 27, 2010) – The Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team fell to 6-10 on the season after a heartbreaking, 9-8, extra-inning loss to William Paterson University at Pioneer Park in Wayne, N.J. The Ducks rallied from a 7-4 deficit with a three-run eighth before taking the lead in the top of the 10th, but two Pioneer runs in the bottom half of the stanza sealed the dramatic WPU win.

The Pioneers opened up scoring in the first when third baseman Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J.) drew a one out walk before back-to-back Mike Guadango (Upper Saddle River, N.J) and Frank Franco (Wayne, N.J.) singles plated the game's first run.

After a scoreless second, the Ducks rallied with a three-run third. Sophomore Chris Coutros got things started with a lead-off singled through the left side before fellow sophomore Tom Phillips drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no out.

Senior Mark Rasulo then punched a single to left, scoring Coutros before sophomore T.J. Alcorn ripped another single through the left side, loading the bases. Phillips later scored on a wild pitch before junior Russ Grimes hit a ground ball to short, pushing Rasulo across the plate to put Stevens ahead, 3-1.

The Ducks tacked on another run in the fourth on a Rasulo single to left center that scored senior Eddie Daniele, but William Paterson posted five runs in the bottom half of the stanza to put the Pioneers back up 6-4.

With runners on the corners and one out, senior second baseman Miguel Lugo (Jersey City, N.J.) reached on a fielder's choice, scoring junior catcher Zak Rose (Nutley, N.J.). Lugo then stole second before a Somers walk put runners on first and second with two out. Stevens later elected to intentionally walk Guadango to load the bases before Franco blasted a grand slam to left to put William Paterson up two.

Following a scoreless sixth, the Ducks threatened to knot things up in the bottom of the seventh. Grimes got things started with a two-out single through the left side. Junior Ken Meerendonk then reached on a throwing error by the catcher, advancing to second, while Grimes moved to third. Junior Denis Ackermann then drew a walk to load the bases, but senior Anthony Andrews lifted a loud out to right, ending the inning.

The Pioneers added an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame when a two-out Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J.) single to center scored senior Andrue Laguerre (Jersey City, N.J.) – who led off the inning with a double down the leftfield line.

Stevens quickly responded, rallying to tie to the game with a three-run eighth. With Phillips on first and two out, Rasulo doubled down the leftfield line, putting runners on the corners. Alcorn then connected on a Jacob Baron (North Brunswick, N.J.) offering, tying the game with a three-run shot to left.

With the score still tied at seven in the top of the tenth, Alcorn laced a two-out single to right. Grimes then singled, advancing to third on a throwing error, while junior Shawn Dorman – who pinch-ran for Alcorn – scored the go-ahead run to put Stevens back on top 8-7.

Undaunted, the Pioneers rallied, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the inning to seal the victory. Lugo ripped a one-out single back up the middle to plate the game-tying run before a Somers single and an intentional walk to Guadango loaded the bases for Franco's walk-off single to right.

Alcorn finished the day 3-for-5 with a homerun and three RBI, while Rasulo went 4-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Grimes had a 2-for-5 day with an RBI, while Daniele, Coutros, Andrews, and Ackermann each tallied a hit for the Ducks in the loss.

Franco led the way for WPU, going 3-for-6 with six RBI, while Lugo went 2-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Dorio finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Laguerre and Rose combined for four hits and two runs scored.

Stevens scored eight runs on 13 hits and two Pioneer errors, while WPU notched17 hits, scoring nine runs.

Stevens will look to rebound against Rutgers University-Newark at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J. on Sunday, March 28. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
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