Marshall University Athletics
Bullpen Delivers in Herd Extra Inning Win
3/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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THOMASVILLE, N.C. - As the temperatures dropped rapidly and the intensity built, Marshall baseball (5-7) won its first extra-inning contest of the season, pulling out a 5-4 victory over George Mason (3-6) in a near five hour, 13-inning game in Thomasville, N.C., at historic Finch Field Saturday.
The Herd fell behind early but tied the game in the sixth and scored two in a dramatic thirteenth to seal the win.
Senior Sergio Leon (Miami) turned in a 3-for-4 day, with a run, RBI, and stolen base. Seniors Andrew Dundon (Lincoln Park, N.J.) and TJ Diffenderfer (Mount Juliet, Tenn.) and junior DJ Gee (Seattle) each recorded two hits in the marathon matchup.
The Herd bullpen combined for seven scoreless innings, led by freshman Fernando Guerrero (Elizabeth, N.J.) who fanned a career-high six in three innings of work, and junior Keanu Ramos' (Lubbock, Texas) two innings, three K outing as he earned his first Marshall win.
George Mason opened the game aggressively, plating two runs in the first and a third run in the second to go up 3-0. The Patriots took advantage of a hit-by-pitch, walk, double, and sacrifice to get its first two runs, and three singles to get another across an inning later.
Marshall bats came to life in the sixth inning, as singles from senior Josh King (Troup, Ga.) and Dundon brought the momentum, and a double from Diffenderfer broke the blank as King scored to cut the Mason lead to 3-1. After an RBI groundout from designated hitter Ryne Dean (Fresno, Calif.) scored Dundon, Leon used a single through the left side to send Diffenderfer home and tie the game.
The contest remained at a stalemate for the next six and half innings. The Herd started the 13th inning with a Dean double to right center. After Aaron Bossi (St. Louis, Mo.) entered the game to pinch-run for him, Leon was intentionally walked to put two on. Gee then connected with a ball on the left side, and beat the throw to first to make the bases loaded for sophomore catcher Matt Reed (Purcellville, Va.).
Reed spent just three pitches waiting, and then placed a hit perfectly on the left side gap to score both Bossi and Leon and give Marshall its first lead of the day at 5-3.
The Patriots continued with dramatic fashion, smacking a leadoff double and then a single to score and cut the Herd lead to 5-4. Herd reliever Clint Wilson (Austin, Texas) picked up his first save of the season after three consecutive groundouts ended the George Mason threat and brought Marshall its first extra-innings win of 2015.
WAGGONER'S WORDS
Quotes from coach Jeff Waggoner and team
"That was a great team win. We didn't start out the best, we started a little flat. But we picked it up later and really poured it on and we found a way to win, which is what matters. The bullpen did a tremendous job."
Keanu Ramos, Jr., RHP
"It's a great feeling when every single player answers the bell when they're called and plays to the potential we know they're capable of. Charging me with the win feels unjust because it took everyone to pull this one out."
UP NEXT
Marshall returns to Finch Field at Thomasville-High Point HiToms Stadium for the doubleheader finale with George Mason. The first game is slated for an 11 a.m. start, with the final game starting approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first.
