Marshall University Athletics
Baseball Wins Second Straight, Rallies to Defeat Hofstra 11-7
2/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Baseball Wins Second Straight, Rallies to Defeat Hofstra 11-7
2/24/2002
CHARLESTON, S.Car.?Trailing 7-2 heading into the sixth inning, Marshall University scored nine unanswered runs over the rest of the game to defeat Hofstra University 11-7 in the Charleston Southern Invitational. The victory gives the Thundering Herd their second victory in a row, moving them to 2-5 on the season. Hofstra dropped to 1-2 with the loss.
"It was a great win for us," head coach Dave Piepenbrink said. "Fritz did a good job of keeping us in the game and Meadows came in and pitched terrific as our offense was able to put some solid innings together."
Hofstra jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. After Hofstra added another run in the bottom of the third, Marshall answered with two in the fifth.
However, the lead went right back to five when Hofstra scored two in the bottom of the inning. The Pride were able to get runners on second and third with nobody out after two singles and a balk by starter Chris Fritz. William Palmer then scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Cosentino. Brian Hillman singled with two outs, scoring Jeff Alwine to make it 7-2.
The Thundering Herd started their rally in the top of the sixth. Marshall started the inning with runners on first and second with nobody out. Mike Koitsopoulos then hit a soft grounder to the shortstop which looked like it might be turned for a double play. However, Palmer misplayed the ball and Rini was able to score on the play from second. Clay DeSantis then singled up the middle to score Koitsopoulos to close the Hofstra lead to 7-4.
After a scoreless seventh, Marshall was able to tie the game in the eighth. With one out, the next three Thundering Herd batters reached to load the bases. With the bases loaded, Adam Fairman drew a walk which allowed Amburgey to score. Matt White then hit a clutch single to right center which scored DeSantis and Colangelo to tie the game at 7-7.
Hofstra was unable to score in the eighth, and Marshall put four on the board in the ninth to finally grab the lead. After Marty Rini walked with one out, Amburgey hit the ball into right center that made it all the way to the wall for a triple and Rini was able to score easy. Amburgey then came home on a sacrifice fly by Colangelo. With two outs and runners on first and second, White hit a soft grounder to pitcher Stephen Rice, however Rice threw the ball past the first baseman and DeSantis and Bryce Woods were able to score to extend the Thundering Herd lead to four at 11-7.
Meadows then shut down the Pride in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Thundering Herd a come-from-behind victory.
Chris Fritz started the game for the Thundering Herd, allowing seven runs, all earned, over 4.1 innings. Meadows (1-0) came in and pitched 4.2 solid innings, allowing two hits and no runs in picking up the victory. Stephen Rice (0-1) took the loss for Hofstra.
Marshall will now face Maryland today at 10:00 a.m. in the final game for both teams at the Charleston Southern Invitational. Rick Suter (0-2) will get the start for the Thundering Herd.
