MADISON, N.J. (March 24, 2010)- The Drew University Rangers baseball team continued their slow start to the 2010 season with an 11-6 loss to the Misericordia University Cougars Wednesday afternoon at Doc Young Field. The Cougars improved their record to 8-5 on the year while the Rangers fell to a dismal 0-12.
The Rangers struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Drew took advantage of two Cougar miscues, a lead off walk and a hit batter that put two runners on the three-hitter, senior first baseman Matt McGrath (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford.) McGrath came through with an RBI double up the left field line to score sophomore catcher, Tom Murray (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial.)
The Rangers' lead didn't least long as the Cougars came back with four runs in the top of the third inning. Freshman outfielder Kenny Durling ripped a single up the left field line good for two runs. Sophomore first baseman Bubba Jasinski also picked up an RBI in the inning.
The Rangers had answers for Cougar pitching in the bottom of the frame. They once again took advantage of Misericordia slip-ups to put two runs on the board. The first four Rangers reached base in the inning, sophomore Steve DeBonis (Hamilton, N.J./Nottingham) was hit by a pitch with the bases juiced to bring in the first run. McGrath put another RBI in the book with fielder's choice that shortstop Anthony Goncalves turned into a double play for the Cougars.
The Cougars busted the game open in the fifth with three runs off four hits. Andrew Tressa, Chris Tuttle, and Nate Hamlin each had RBI's for the Cougars in the frame.
McGrath kept his hot bat going in the bottom of the seventh with another RBI single, his third hit of the afternoon. Murray answered a three run eight from the Cougars with two RBI double scoring junior Corey Napier (Chester, Conn./Valley Regional) and rookie Mike Bodden (Toms River, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) who both walked to start the inning.
Despite the late inning action from the Rangers, the game was out of reach. Freshman hurler Tom Koontz (Allentown, N.J/Allentown) took the loss and fell to 0-4 on the season. McGrath's 3-4 showing led the Ranger offense, Murray finished 1-2 with two RBI's.
Senior lefty Andrew Yasinski who went three and a third picked up his first win of the year for the Cougars. Jasinski finished 4-5 with two RBI's. Tressa, Tuttle, and Durling each had two RBI's for the Cougars.
The Rangers open their 2010 Landmark Conference season this Saturday with a double-dip against the United States Merchant Marine Academy at 1:00pm in King's Point, N.Y.
