Mitchell with Two Hits, Two RBI, Two Runs Scored in Win

CHESTERTOWN, MD - Freshman Huntley Mitchell (Baltimore, MD/Boys Latin) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI to spearhead a 13-hit day for host Washington College as the Shoremen topped visiting Franklin & Marshall, 9-4, on Wednesday afternoon at Athey Baseball Park in the Centennial Conference opener for both sides. The Shoremen improve to 6-4 overall and 1-0 in Centennial play, while the Diplomats fall to 5-7-1 and 0-1 respectively. Washington snapped a six-game losing streak to F&M in the process, scoring its first win over the Diplomats since a 8-6 win in 10 innings on April 1, 2006 in Lancaster, PA.

The Shoremen took the lead for good in the bottom of the first when senior Matt Boucher (Alexandria, VA/Bishop Ireton) plated freshman freshman Sean Connole (Mt. Airy, MD/St. John's Catholic) on a sacrifice fly to right field to put the hosts up 1-0. WC extended the lead in the bottom of the second to 2-0 on Mitchell's home run to right field. The Diplomats cut the lead WC lead to 2-1 in the top of the third when Matt Will scored on a fielding error by the Shoremen.

Washington broke open the game with five runs in its half of the third inning to take a commanding 7-1 lead. Sophomore John Rolewicz (Bear, DE/Salesianum) led off the frame with a long fly over the centerfield wall straight-away to put WC up 3-1. Mitchell would drive in sophomore Ryan Normoyle (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) on a single up the middle to make it 4-1. The next batter, freshman Kyle Aldrich (Warren, NJ/Watchung Hills Regional) doubled down the left field line to chase in sophomore Ben Jardot (McLean, VA/Flint Hill School) and make it 5-1 Shoremen. Freshman Tyler Cotterell (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) capped the scoring with a two-run single through the right side that drove in Mitchell and Aldrich.

F&M got one run back in the top of the fourth to cut it to 7-2 on a Blue Wells single to center that scored Nick Rolnick. The Shoremen pushed the lead up to 9-2 in the bottom of the fifth when Cotterell scored on a double off the bat of Connole. Cotterell managed to avoid the tag at the plate and hit the dish before a tag could be applied. Connole would score on a balk to cap the scoring for the frame.

F&M got single runs in the 7th and 9th inning to round out the scoring for the contest.

For Washington, Cotterell went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in the game. Also chalking up two hits in the game for WC was Connole, Rolewicz and Jardot. Connole also scored two runs for the Shoremen in the win, while Normoyle also stole two bases. Normoyle drew three of Washington's six walks in the win. On the mound, sophomore pitcher Shane Mattingly (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) got the win and improves to 2-1 on the season. He allowed three runs, but only one earned in seven innings of work. He scattered six hits and struck out two in the win. Mattingly gave way to senior hurler Chris Keiper (Toms River, NJ/Monsignor Donovan), who tossed the last two innings, striking out three and allowed one unearned run.

Will and Russell Tischler had two hits each for F&M in the game. Will scored a game-best three runs and led all players with two doubles. On the mound, Jason Anderson took the loss and falls to 1-1 on the year. He lasted just 2 2/3 innings, giving up seven runs and eight hits.

The Shoremen travel to Pennsylvania on Friday to conclude the two-game set with Franklin & Marshall in Centennial Conference play. First pitch is scheduled for at 3:30 p.m.