March 7, 2009
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy baseball team staged a four-run rally and had the tying run at the plate, but succumbed to Central Connecticut State by a score of 9-6 on Saturday afternoon at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium. The Midshipmen fell to 2-4-1, while the Blue Devils improved to 2-0.
"Down seven runs, we still gave ourselves an opportunity to be one hit away from being completely back," stated Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "It's not something to hang your hat on, but if you keep getting into those opportunities, you will eventually break through."
Trailing 9-2 in the bottom half of the sixth, Navy began to chip away at the deficit. Mike Guadagnini (So./Virginia Beach, Va.) lined a single off the pitcher before Kendall Bolt (Jr./Stockton, Calif.) laid down a perfectly placed bunt single down the third base line. The Midshipmen called upon Steven Soares (Jr./Coral Springs, Fla.) off the bench and he smashed the Derek Roberts offering over the left-field fence and onto Upper Lawrence Field.
The Mids pulled within three at 9-6 in the seventh inning, as Bolt belted a ground-rule double to the gap in left-center to score Michael Speciale (Jr./Pearland, Texas). Navy sent the tying run to the plate in the seventh and eighth innings, but Central Connecticut State reliever Dan Markoya got out of both jams with strikeouts.
Central Connecticut State plated a run in the first and second innings before Navy responded with a run in the bottom half of the second. Bolt drew a one-out walk, advanced to third on a wild pitch and throw over the second baseman before scoring on a Josh Moore (Fr./Mills River, N.C.) single to right.
The Blue Devils came back with two runs in the fourth to make the score 4-1. However, the Mids answered with a run in the bottom half of the frame. Moore walked with one out before Jonathan Berkowitz (Jr./Parkland, Fla.) roped a double down the left-field line to plate the Navy freshman.
Central Connecticut State responded with three runs in the fifth to chase Navy starter Drew Carlson (Jr./Boca Raton, Fla.) and plated two in the sixth on a Sean Parker two-run shot to left.
Carlson, in his first-career start, was tagged for the loss as he allowed seven runs - six earned, on nine hits over 4.1 innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
"Two very important factors caused Drew to struggle today," said Kostacopoulos. "First, he pitched on only one side of the plate and he needs to work both sides to be effective. Second, he needed to do a better job of commanding the strike zone. A big key is to work ahead, but he fell behind several batters today."
Navy reliever Jeff Murdza (Jr./Hamilton, N.J.) made his collegiate debut on the mound and allowed two runs - both on the Parker home run - on four hits over 3.2 innings with two walks and three strikeouts. Luke Roberts (So./Midland, N.C.) came on and worked a scoreless ninth for the Mids.
Bolt led the Midshipmen 11-hit attack with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate, with a double, walk, two runs scored, one RBI and one stolen base. Berkowitz also went 2-for-3 with a walk and a RBI, while Jonathan Wright (So./Arden, N.C.) finished the day 2-for-5.
"Similar to yesterday, I'm seeing small signs of improvement, but we have a long way to go," said Kostacopoulos. "Kendall and Jonathan are starting to have better at bats, but as a whole, we need to keep getting better."
Navy will conclude its weekend action tomorrow with a 12:30 p.m. contest against Central Connecticut State before a 3:30 p.m. tilt against Iona. Admission is free to Navy home baseball games and fans are reminded that tomorrow is "Take the Family to the Game", as families will be able to purchase four hot dogs and four sodas for just $10.
DIAMOND NOTES
- The Midshipmen are now 3-5 all-time against Central Connecticut State ... in seven of those eight meetings, the game was decided by three runs or less ... the Mids are now 22-18 all-time against teams affiliated with the Northeast Conference.
- Saturday's game-time temperature of 61 degrees was the warmest that Navy has played in this spring.
- Navy had at least one base runner in each of the nine innings on Saturday ... in eight of those frames, the Midshipmen recorded at least one base knock.
- Navy's 11 hits and six walks on Saturday were both season highs ... for the weekend, the Midshipmen are hitting .299 (20-for-67) with a six doubles, one home run and a .390 on-base percentage.
- Steven Soares's pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning was Navy's first round-tripper of the season ... it was also Navy's first pinch-hit long ball since Jonathan Berkowitz came off the bench and hit a four-bagger in the ninth inning against Duquesne on March 16, 2008.
- Navy reliever Luke Roberts has not allowed an earned run in five collegiate appearances out of the bullpen, a span of 6.1 innings.
- The Midshipmen have not committed more than one error in any of their seven games this season ... for the year, they have made a total of only five errors - good for a .981 fielding percentage.
- Navy's defense turned two double plays for the second time this season ... the Mids also recorded two double plays in the opener against Cornell on Feb. 28.
