Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UCF
Baseball Outlasts UCF In Marathon, 12-10
4/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 18, 2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Marshall University right fielder Kurt Lipton and catcher Tommy Johnson combined for seven RBIs to help pace Marshall to a 12-10 victory over UCF in Friday night's Conference USA baseball game at Appalachian Power Park.
With the win, Marshall boosts its winning-streak to three games and improves to 17-19-1 overall, 5-7-1 in conference play. UCF falls to 26-14 on the season, 4-9 in league action.
Trailing 9-7, Marshall responded to UCF's five-run sixth with a five-run frame of its own when left fielder Jeff Rowley, third baseman Brandon Casamassima and second baseman Kenny Socorro notched back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with no outs. Shortstop Adam Yeager reached on a fielder's choice, and a fielding error at home allowed Rowley to score. A groundout scored Casamassima before center fielder Nate Lape earned an intentional walk to keep the bases juiced. Lipton then smoked a three-run double to right center field. UCF got out of the inning with a double play but Marshall took a 12-9 lead in the stanza.
Freshman right-hander Ian Kadish came on in relief of Hancock and pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball. Left-hander Ryan Kiel came in and recorded the final out of the eighth with a strikeout.
Herd right-hander Arik Sikula entered his fifth save of the season and is now tied for seventh on Marshall's all-time saves list. The first-year slinger allowed a run across in the final frame but fanned a pair to seal the victory.
Hancock (2-1) picks up the decision for Marshall, while Dobbins (1-1) suffered the loss in the marathon game.
After UCF posted a 2-1 lead heading to the bottom of the third, Marshall exploded for six runs. Socorro drew a lead off walk and advanced to second on Yeager's fielder's choice. First baseman Josh Valle walked to load the bases before center fielder Nate Lape earned a free pass to plate the first run of the inning. Lipton reached on an infield fielding error to score Yeager. Johnson then cleared the bases with a double down the right field line. Designated hitter Victor Gomez walked and Johnson advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rowley grounded into a double play but Johnson came across for the sixth run of the inning. Right-hand reliever Brennan Dobbins, who entered for starter Cody Allen following Johnson's triple, ended the inning with a strikeout.
Trailing 7-4, the Knights got two back in the top of the fourth before scoring five in the top of the sixth to go ahead 9-7. The inning was highlighted by a pair of RBI singles from second baseman Dwayne Bailey and third baseman Chris Duffy, while catcher Robert Lara laced a two-run double to give UCF a 9-7 lead. Marshall senior Andrew Hancock came on in relief of starter Andrew Blain, and recorded the final two outs of the inning.
Marshall returns to C-USA action Saturday against UCF. Game-time is 1:00 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park. Herd right-hander Steve Blevins (4-2) will square off against Mitch Houck (3-1).
