The Rocket

Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Senior shortstop Phil Butch converts a groundout with a throw to first base in the Rock's 6-1 game two win over Shepherd University on Tuesday at Jack Critchfield Park. In the game, Butch went 1-4 and scored one run in the non-conference victory.

While "Sticks and stones," "Do unto others" and other nuggets of grade school insight sometimes fall by the wayside, one axiom has stood the test of time in the world of sports: "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."

And Rock baseball head coach Jeff Messer is still buying it, even after his team went just 1-2 in a midweek stretch that served as a warm-up to the team's home-and-home four-game clash with California (Pa.) on Friday and Saturday.

"We're going to lose games," said Messer, whose squad now sits at 12-6 on the season. "But this week, I wanted to make sure that the guys were relaxed and focused so they're ready for California on Friday."

SRU entered the week ranked No. 27 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper NCAA Division II poll.

The Rock dropped a 6-2 decision to Division I Duquesne University on Wednesday, committing three errors that led to two unearned runs. The Rock packed little offensive punch, either, managing its only two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Junior leftfielder M.J. Parsons led the way on offense on Wednesday, connecting for two hits, including a double.

Senior shortstop Phil Butch and sophomore centerfielder Rich Michalek each tallied an RBI in the game.

The team also split a doubleheader with Division II Shepherd (W. Va.) University on Tuesday, losing 14-6 in game one and taking game two by a score of 8-1.

The twinbill was delayed at two different points when the umpires called both teams off the field at the sight of lightning.

Junior Chris Squeglia, who was the losing pitcher in game one, allowed 12 hits and seven runs, all earned, in 2.2 innings. In the game, Shepherd pounded out a season-high 20 hits.

Squeglia said that while he struggled, he's not concerned about his performance the rest of the season.

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools