HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 18, 2018)  – Freshman Thomas Paulich delivered a sixth-inning RBI single to snap a 2-2 tie as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team won its third straight game with a 3-2 victory over Misericordia University Wednesday evening in non-conference action at Dobbelaar Field.

Sophomore Patrick Rood began the game-deciding rally, hustling down the line after a dropped third strike on what would have been the final out of the sixth. Catcher Conor Smith was initially unable to locate the ball, and after finally securing it, rushed his throw to first and caromed the ball off Rood's back. The Stevens second baseman was awarded first and Smith received a throwing error. Rood moved to second on a Jake Kurtz (1-1) wild pitch and Paulich solidly connected on Kutz's 2-0 offering, driving the ball into right center to score Rood to give the hosts a 3-2 lead.

The one-run cushion was plenty for Charlie Ruegger (5-2). Returning to a relief role for the second time this season, the tall right-hander was electric, keeping the Misericordia bats silenced over the final 3 2-3 innings. Ruegger earned eight saves as the Stevens closer in 2017. The Morris Plains, New Jersey native didn't allow a hit and struck out five. Ruegger has fanned at least three in every outing this season. 

The win moved Stevens to 19-13 on the year and the Ducks are 12-2 in the friendly confines of Dobbelaar Field. Misericordia dropped its second straight to fall to 19-10. Stevens received four votes in the recently-released Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division III National Poll.

"Tonight most certainly had the feel of a postseason environment," said head coach Kristaps Aldins. "We saw excellent pitching from both teams, some big two-out hits and some perfectly executed situational baseball, again from both teams. Misericordia is a quality, well-coached team and we are happy to walk away with this big win tonight."

Junior Danny Poidomani drew the start and didn't allow a hit until the fifth. Sean Boylan spoiled Poidomani's no-hit bid with a two-out single to right, but the Misericordia shortstop was nabbed at first by Matthew Pasko after taking too wide of a turn around first. Poidomani struck out nine in 5 1-3 innings of work and walked two. The Rochelle Park, New Jersey native is third in the conference with 65 strikeouts.

Kurtz matched Poidomani for the most part. The right-hander allowed just senior Tommy Baronner's single leading off the game before running into trouble in the fifth. Kurtz plunked Pasko with two outs. Freshman Ambrose Consol placed a perfect bunt down the third base line for a single. Pinch-hitter A.J. Falconite worked a full-count walk in his first plate appearance of the season to load the bases. Baronner placed Kurtz's 0-2 offering just inside the right field line for a stand-up double, scoring Pasko and Consol with the first runs of the game. Junior Donny Gherardi lined to left to end the frame.

Misericordia responded in its half of the sixth. Kenny Jarema started the rally with a one-out single through the right side. Parker Abate bunted for a hit and both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. Tyler Holzapfel singled through the right side to drive in a run and end the shutout. Misericordia's three straight hits forced a pitching change. Santo Guinta greeted Ruegger with a suicide squeeze. Abate scored on the play but Rugger through Guinta out at first by a handful of steps. Steve Weisensee grounded out to end the inning. 

Stevens pitching held the fourth through ninth positions in the Misericordia lineup to just two walks and a single on the evening. Baronner was the only player on either squad to record two hits. Senior Alex Detweiler went 0-4 to end his 22-game on-base streak.

Up Next: Baseball welcomes the State University of New York at Oneonta to Dobbelaar Field for a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 21. First pitch for game one is 4:00 p.m. and between games, Baseball will honor its Class of 2018 in an on-field ceremony.

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