Dukes Mount Comeback, but Fall Short in Eleven Innings
Pittsfield, Mass. (Sunday July 15, 2007) – The Dukes trailed 6-0
after four innings, and did well to erase that deficit by the time
the ninth inning rolled around. But one throwing miscue spelled
disaster for the Dukes as they fell 7-6 to the Vermont Mountaineers
at Wahconah Park.
The Dukes chipped away at their early large deficit, scoring for the
first time in the bottom of the fifth. Tyler Stampone (The College
of the Holy Cross) and Scott Savastano (Franklin Pierce College)
both singled to start the inning, and advanced to second and third
on a passed ball. Jim MacDonald (University of Massachusetts) came
up big with a two-out two-run single to cut the lead to 6-2.
The Dukes got single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings.
Jeff Rustico (American International College) was hit by a pitch and
came around to score on an Alex Hassan (Duke University) sacrifice
fly in the sixth. While Savastano singled, advanced to third on a
throwing error, and scored on a Nelson Gomez (Keystone College)
single.
The two runs to tie the game in the eighth both came with two outs
as Hassan reached on an error, Stampone was hit by a pitch, and
Savastano and Gomez each followed with RBI singles.
Pittsfield had a golden opportunity to win the ballgame with one out
in the ninth. Keli’i Zablan (Southern Utah University) led off with
a single, and Rustico tried to sacrifice him over to second. The
ball was misplayed by Vermont’s Gerald Ogrinc (Wright State)
allowing both runner to be safe. Rustico was lifted for pinch-runner
Tony DiCesare (Northeastern University) and Adam Tempesta
(University of Massachusetts) laid down a bunt, moving the runners
to second and third. Following an intentional pass to Paul Heidler
(Longwood University), Hassan lined into a 4-3 double play, ending
the Pittsfield threat.
The eventual winning run scored in the top of the eleventh as A.J.
Pollack (Notre Dame) stole third. The throw from Jeff Lieneck
(Wheaton College) made its way into leftfield, allowing Pollack to
score.
Monday the Dukes host the Russian National Team at 7 p.m., and will
give out free mini-bats to the first 300 fans through the gate,
courtesy of Nokona Sports
The Dukes appreciate your support. GO DUKES!!!
