HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 19, 2020) – Tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team got a three-run homer off the bat of sophomore Chris Silos en route to a 6-4 victory over Drew University Saturday at Dobbelaar Baseball Field.

The Ducks fell behind 3-0 in the top half of the first inning but bounced back by scoring the next six runs of the contest and got 6.0 scoreless innings of relief on the mound from freshman Ryan Shea to win their second straight contest.

Silos finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored while Thomas Paulich went 3 for 4 with an RBI to lead the way offensively for the Ducks. Paulich also helped Stevens turn three critical double plays, all of which coming with Drew having runners in scoring position.

Shea was fantastic in his career debut on the bump for the Ducks, allowing just two hits and striking out five after coming out of the bullpen in the top of the second.

For the second consecutive game, Roy Iversen (2-0) picked up the victory and Alex Smith (2) was awarded the save. Iversen did not allow a hit in a scoreless eighth inning while Smith was able to get out of a jam in the bottom of the ninth by inducing a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

Drew, who had just defeated No. 5 Kean University Tuesday night, started the scoring with three runs in the opening inning.

After giving up the first run on a wild pitch, starting pitcher Justin Doyle was able to get Anthony Tagliaferro to hit into a double play with the bases loaded with nobody out as the Rangers extended the lead to 2-0.

Another wild pitch extended the lead to three before Doyle got a strikeout to end the frame.

Stevens responded in the bottom half of the inning with a run of their own after Sutton Dole brought home Ryan Finegan on an RBI single through the left side. The Ducks threatened to add another when Tom James hit a single to left with Dole standing on second, but the Rangers' left fielder Ryan Nagle threw out Dole at the plate to prevent the run from scoring.

With two away in the bottom of the third, A.J. Falconite started a two-out rally with an infield single and promptly stole second to give the Ducks a runner in scoring position. Paulich then delivered an RBI single through the left side of his own to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Stevens once again rallied with two away in the fourth as Nathan Zuckerman was hit by a pitch and Silos singled to give the Ducks runners on first and second. It was Brett Mendez who produced the RBI single this time as he roped a single to center field to tie things up.

Both teams remained silent at the plate for the next three innings as the game remained tied at three headed into the eighth.

In the top half of the inning, Drew put two runners on base with nobody out after a hit batter and a walk. Iversen responded, however, getting Tagliaferro to bounce into his second 6-4-3 double play and then forcing a groundout to end the inning and preserve the tie.

Reigning MAC Freedom Player of the Week Gannon Kenney-McGowan started the rally in the bottom half for the Ducks as he was able to reach first on an error by the third baseman. Zuckerman then produced another productive at bat as he drew a seven-pitch walk to put runners on first and second for Silos.

The junior third baseman did not waste any time as he lifted the first pitch he saw over the wall in left-center field to put the Ducks on top for the first time in the contest. It was the first homer of his career and the second of the season for Stevens.

The Rangers put the pressure on in the top of the ninth as an infield single and a hit batter put runners on first and second with one away. Leadoff hitter Max Felsenstein then delivered an RBI single into right center to cut the deficit to 6-4 and put runners on the corners.

Smith did not waiver as he got Matthew Lange to hit a ground ball to Paulich to start the Ducks' third 6-4-3 double play of the contest and seal the win.

Inside the Numbers

• Along with Silos and Paulich, six other Ducks registered a hit in the victory and all nine starters reached first as Stevens produced double-digit knocks for the second consecutive game.
• Stevens closed the game 5 for 7 as a team with runners in scoring position in the contest while the Rangers went just 1 for 9.
• In his last two contests, Silos is 4 for 7 with three RBIs and two runs scored. He now has multiple hits in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
• Iversen has been dynamite when facing runners in scoring position this season as opponents are now 0 for 4 against him with a runner on second or third.
• Both teams left seven runners on base in the contest.
• The Ducks were also phenomenal with two outs in the win going 7 for 15 in the situation while Drew finished 1 for 9.
• Something Stevens did not do as well as Drew was get the leadoff hitter on to begin the inning as the Ducks were just 1 for 8 to open an inning while the Rangers placed the leadoff man on base in four of its nine innings.

Unsung Hero

• A steady presence behind the plate, Zuckerman was big at the plate as well in the win. The junior reached went 1 for 2 while adding a walk and a hit by pitch and also scored two of the Ducks' six runs.

From the Dugout (Head Coach Kristaps Aldins)

• "It was a really solid early season win. We turned some big double plays, which both minimized big innings and got us out of jams. Good teams tend to turn them with regularity, so it was a great feeling to see our infield making things happen."
• "Chris Silos obviously had the swing of the day with the go-ahead homer and it was certainly a great pitching performance from first year Ryan Shea. And then Roy and Smitty took us home in the late innings.
• "We are looking forward to getting back out there this weekend and building on this victory."

Up Next

• The busy week continues for the Ducks as they take on New Jersey City University Friday, Feb. 21 in Hoboken, N.J.
• Stevens has won seven of the last eight meetings between the schools, including grabbing a 5-4 win on March 18, 2018, the last times the two teams played.
• Live stats and video will be available on StevensDucks.com.

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