The Rocket

Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Sophomore left fielder Jacob Oswalt dives back to the bag during the Rock's 16-5 game one victory over Mansfield University on Wednesday afternoon. Oswalt went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. On the season, he is batting .333 with 13 RBIs. Every Rock starter had at least one hit and one RBI in game one. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Head Coach Jeff Messer argues with the home plate umpire during the Rock's 16-5 game one victory over Mansfield on Wednesday. Messer was upset after an apparent Matt Adams home run was ruled foul. The Rock split the doubleheader with the Mounties, losing game two by a score of 10-9. [Click to enlarge]

Win one, lose one.

That has been the trend for the Rock baseball team after they earned splits in three doubleheaders this week.

On Wednesday, the Rock let one slip away as the team split a doubleheader with Mansfield University. This was after they went 2-2 against rival California University of Pennsylvania on Saturday and Sunday. The Rock also lost a nine-inning match-up against Seton Hill on Tuesday.

In the first game against Mansfield, the Rock pounded out 16 runs on 18 hits in a 16-5 win.

"It was great to see the bats come alive," Rock Head Coach Jeff Messer said.

Sophomore pitcher Sean Holliday (3-2) fell behind early, giving up a three-run homer in the top of the first. The Rock responded with nine runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 9-3 lead after one. The Rock chased Mansfield starter Mike Martin after just one-third of an inning.

Holliday gave up 11 hits in six innings and was charged with all five of Mansfield's runs.

Messer's squad scored in all but one inning, the fourth, and saw every starter get at least one hit and one RBI in the game.

"Some of the guys have been putting too much pressure on themselves to try to carry the team," Messer said. "We know we need 12 to 15 guys to contribute every game."

Junior right fielder Scott Bender paced the effort, going 3-for-4 while scoring twice. Senior designated hitter Scott Hugney went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Offense was again on display in the second game. This time, though, Mansfield got the better of the Rock, scoring once in the top of the eighth to put the game away, 10-9.

Down 9-6 in the seventh, the Rock scored three runs on three hits thanks in part to two crucial Mounties errors that allowed the Rock to tie the game.

Senior relief pitcher Craig Misiewicz (0-1) was credited with the loss, surrendering three hits and the game-winning run in the eighth.

"The pitcher sets how the game falls, and we faltered pitching-wise," Messer said. "It's just frustrating to get consistent...if it wasn't, it wouldn't be coaching."

The split moved the Rock's record to 15-13 on the year and 4-4 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Rock lost to non-conference opponent Seton Hill 5-3 in a nine-inning game that saw the Rock give up four runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The Rock went ahead 3-1 in the top of the seventh with junior shortstop Rich Michalek scoring on a throwing error and sophomore second baseman Billy Herman scoring on a single by sophomore catcher Matt Adams. Seton Hill answered in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs on three hits and an error.

The Rock had the tying run at second base in the ninth but couldn't drive him home as Bender and Herman hit back-to-back groundouts to end the game.

In weekend action, the Rock split the season series with Cal while gaining zero ground on PSAC leaders Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Shippensburg.

On Saturday afternoon the Rock dominated the first game against the Vulcans, winning 9-4, only to lose 10-3 in the second game.

Michalek paced the Rock effort in game one, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs. The Rock also received two-RBI performances from senior centerfielder M.J. Parsons and senior catcher Jim Eimiller. Winning pitcher Chris Squeglia (3-2) threw seven strong innings giving up three earned runs on seven hits.

In game two, the offense produced hits, but couldn't manufacture enough runs. Despite pounding out 10 hits, the Rock could only bring three runners across the plate.

Rich Hocanson was charged with the loss as he gave up six runs on 10 hits while striking out five. Adams went 2-for-4 with an RBI and leftfielder Jacob Oswalt went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Traveling to California led to the same results for the Rock, as they won the first game 7-6, in eight innings only to lose the second contest 4-3.

In game one, Bender led off the eighth inning with the eventual game-winning home run. He finished the game going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Freshman Brett Vescovi (2-1) pitched a perfect two innings, retiring all six batters he faced. Game two turned out to be a pitchers' duel as the teams combined for just 10 hits. The Rock started out strong, building a 3-1 lead only to watch it slip away in a Cal three-run fourth inning.

Up 4-3, Cal's Randy Sturgill shut down the Rock attack, surrendering only one hit in the final three innings of play.

Losing pitcher Don Pugliese (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits in the six-inning complete game.

Splitting the season series with Cal and Shippensburg was important for the Rock, Messer said.

"We are right on schedule with what we thought in the preseason. We looked at the schedule and knew we would be playing two playoff teams early and at least wanted to square off with them," Messer said. "We are content going 4-4 against them."

The Rock now moves on to a crucial home-and-home doubleheader against Lock Haven University today and Saturday.

The Rock will travel to LHU this afternoon for a 1 p.m. doubleheader before squaring off with the Bald Eagles (12-22 overall, 2-6 PSAC) at Jack Critchfield Park on Saturday at 1 p.m.

"We need to sweep one of these doubleheaders, but they are a scrappy team, so we will need to put our best foot forward," Messer said.

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