MADISON, N.J. (March 21, 2010) – After solid pitching performances kept Cardinal and Ranger bats in check yesterday, both teams exploded for 33 hits as Catholic took the final game of the three-game series, 15-9. Catholic (6-3, 3-0 Landmark) posted the first 12 runs of the contest before Drew (0-11, 0-3 Landmark) got to the Cardinal long relievers in the fifth inning.
With the score 12-1 going into the fifth inning, the game seemed to be out of reach for the Rangers. Junior Ben Lynch (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) came on in relief in the fifth inning and gave the Rangers three solid innings of work allowing only two runs and striking out three batters. In the bottom half of the inning the Drew offense would jump all over freshman reliever Rob Steinkopf. He walked the four batters in the inning and threw a wild pitch that scored a run. Matthew McGrath (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) picked up his eighth RBI of the year on a ground out to second and Patrick Rock (Cranston, R.I./Providence Country Day) would deliver the hit that knocked Steinkopf out of the game and scored the Rangers fourth run of the game.
Drew picked up right where they left off in the sixth inning when they had five players cross the plate. Catholic pitcher Matt Valerio worked the Cardinals out of a jam in the fifth inning but would also struggle with his control in the sixth. After walking the first two batters of the inning McGrath came up again and doubled up the middle scoring Michael Bodden (Toms River N.J./Monsignor Donovan). With two outs and two men on the freshman, Rock, would deliver again this time with a double down the right field line making the score 14-7. Rock would later score on a two-RBI double by Corey Napier (Chester, Conn./Valley Regional) to round off the scoring for the Rangers.
Catholic would squeak an unearned run in the ninth inning to get the Cardinals to 15 runs, their second highest output of the season.
Rock finished the day going 3-for-5 with four RBI and Kevin O'Neil also had three hits in five at bats for the Rangers.
Drew will continue its five-game home stand against Centenary College at 3:00 on Doc Young Field.
