March 13, 2011
Box Score
AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Central Michigan scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to erase a four-run deficit and held on to win, 9-8; putting an end to Navy's five-game unbeaten streak. CMU's William Arnold tied the game with a one-out, three-run triple in the top of the ninth to tie the score at eight. A squeeze play one batter later by Robbie Harman gave the Chippewas the lead for good, 9-8.
"It's a cliché, but we've got to comeback and be ready to play tomorrow," said Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "They don't get any tougher than this, as far as battling back from being down, 4-1, then taking the lead, 8-4, and not being able to hold on to it.
"It's frustrating, but we'll get back after it tomorrow."
After six complete innings, the Midshipmen trailed, 4-1, but a four-run seventh inning gave them their first lead of the day, 5-4.
Alex Azor, who had a career-best five hits in a 5-for-5 performance at the plate, drove in the first run of seventh inning with a single through the right side. An error by CMU shortstop Robbie Harman on a ball hit by Greg Dupell in the next at-bat led to another run.
Dave Milanes then tied the game at four with a sacrifice fly to deep center field. With two outs and Harvey Martin now on the mound for Central, a passed ball allowed Dupell to score and give Navy the lead, 5-4.
An RBI double by Azor, followed by another CMU error that allowed two runs to score, pushed Navy's lead to 8-4 after eight innings.
"To our credit, we kept pecking away," said Kostacopoulos. "I thought we kept working and we set ourselves up with the chance to win."
Matt Faiman doubled off of Wes Olson to start the Chips' comeback in the top of the ninth. After a strikeout and a walk, Sam Russell brought in the first run with a double to deep center field, just out of the reach of Azor.
A walk then loaded the bases, setting up Arnold's game-tying triple.
Olson, who entered the game in the top of the eighth inning, suffered his first loss of the season and is now 2-1.
Despite allowing three runs off two hits in 2.1 innings, Martin earned the win for CMU.
CMU starting pitcher Zach Cooper pitched an effective six complete innings as he allowed seven hits, but none for extra-bases, and recorded nine strikeouts. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Azor drove in the only run Cooper allowed with a single to center field.
Navy starter Sam Long allowed seven hits and was charged with CMU's first-four runs of the game, before being replaced by Joel Rinehart in the top of the fourth frame.
The Midshipmen will look to bounce back on Monday when they meet Massachusetts at Chain of Lakes Park Stadium in Winter Haven, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Notes...
• Alex Azor's five hits were the most by a since Mike Guadagnini had five hits on April 26, 2008 in a 9-3 win over Holy Cross.
• Navy is now 3-1 in one-run games and 4-2 when it out-hits its opponent.
• With a 3-for-5 performance on Sunday, Jonathan Wright has now had multiple hits in three of his last four games.
• Alex Azor and Jonathan Wright both extended their hitting streaks to five games.
