PASADENA, Calif. (March 12, 2015) – Two huge first innings yielded similar ultimate results for the Drew University baseball team as they dropped both halves of a doubleheader to the California Institute of Technology Beavers by one run (11-10, 8-7) in Pasadena for its final contests in Southern California.
 
In the first game against Cal Tech, a back-and-forth 11-10 loss, sophomore left fielder Mike DiDonato and junior second baseman Anthony Feltre combined for a 4-for-7 day with two runs scored and one RBI each. DiDonato doubled twice in the loss. Freshman righty Joe Dahut went 2.1 innings of relief in his second stint as a Ranger, allowing just one earned run on two hits and a walk, while striking out one.
 
Senior center fielder Al Krause has hit in seven straight to start the season and eight in a row dating back to 2014.
 
Quick Start & Late Comeback Attempt Not Enough in 11-10 Loss
Box Score
 
Drew (1-6) kicked off the opener of the twin bill with a five-run explosion as the lineup batted around. Senior right fielder Michael Scarzafava made the most of his first start early by ripping a two-run single back up the middle to earn his first hit and RBIs of the year.
 
The Rangers would need all five of the runs as the Beavers (2-15) clawed all the way back before the end of the second with a rally of their own. The score stood at 5-5 after two.
 
After Cal Tech took a 6-5 lead, Krause laced one down the left field line to capitalize on a rare pinch-hitting appearance in the 5th. The single drove in DiDonato, whose second double of the day tied the game. At this point, the score stood at 7-6 in favor of Drew.
 
The see-saw high scoring battle rolled on with Drew chipping away at the 11-7 lead Cal Tech had built by the fifth. Once the final inning began the Rangers trailed by only one thanks to RBI singles by freshmen Ryan Sabbag and Isaiah Mateo. But the Rangers' rally fell just short despite getting a runner to scoring position during their last licks.
 
Caltech Erases Two Deficits for Second Straight Comeback Win
Box Score
 
Part two of the double dip saw the Rangers drop four first inning runs on the Beavers just hours after the first inning five-spot they landed in the previous game. Junior first baseman Bobby Miskura put Drew on the board with an RBI single, followed by a Felte RBI double. The Rangers scored on a balk before taking a 4-0 lead on an RBI groundout by Mater. Again, the Beavers answered, this time with a four-run first inning of their own.
 
 
The heart of the Ranger lineup (sophomore third baseman Jonathan Rodrigues, Miskura and Feltre) went a combined 6-for-12 with 4 RBIs and 5 runs scored in Game 2.
 
Another five hits by the Rangers in the second inning gave them 10 by the end of the second frame and a 7-4 lead after run-scoring base knocks by Miskura, Rodrigues and Mateo. Senior Steve Kowalski added a single and a stolen base in the inning.
 
The Beavers were again up for the challenge and took back the lead with a four-run fourth inning. An 8-7 Caltech lead stood until the seventh, the final scheduled inning of the Game 2, and despite a late inning surge from Drew, the game ended with the tying run stranded on third.
 
Senior reliever Matther Hunter tossed the final 2.2 innings without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out one.
 
The Rangers are scheduled, weather and field condition permitting, to host Susquehanna University on Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the Landmark Conference opening doubleheader at Doc Young Field. Be sure to check back to DrewRangers.com for updates regarding the 2015 Landmark opener.