Shoremen Score Six Times In The Eighth Inning To Bust Open Game

STEVENSON, Md. – Visiting Washington College snapped a 2-2 tie with two runs in the top of the seventh inning and added six more runs in the top of the eighth to cruise to a 10-2 victory over host Stevenson on Thursday afternoon at Park Field in a non-conference baseball game.  The Shoremen improve to 9-7 overall, while the Mustangs drop to 7-7.

Scott Merkel gave Stevenson a 1-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the first inning to plate Troy Miller for the game's opening run.

Washington took its first lead of the game at 2-1 with two in the top half of the third.  With nobody out, freshman designated hitter Logan Dubbé (Glenelg, Md./Glenelg) worked out a bases loaded walk to force in sophomore third baseman Garrett Richardello (Coventry, Conn./East Catholic) to tie the game.  Freshman catcher Michael Mann (Old Lyme, Conn./Lyme-Old Lyme) gave WC the lead when he scored on a double play.

The Mustangs tied it at 2-2 in the last half of the third when Merkel singled to right with two outs to score Troy Miller and level the game.

The Shoremen took the lead for good with a two-run single with two away by Richardello that scored senior shortstop Nick Marinelli (Ellicott City, Md./Marriotts Ridge) and senior Pat Kinsella (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) to give the guests a 4-2 lead.

WC put the game out of reach with six runs in the top of the eighth and sent 11 men to the dish.  Junior centerfielder Scott Matthews (Goshen, N.Y./Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) led off the frame with a home run and capped the outburst with a run scoring single to drive home Richardello.

Richardello went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI for the Shoremen, while Matthews went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.  Marinelli went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored as the team had 12 hits in the win.  On the mound, junior pitcher Michael Long (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) got the win in relief to go to 2-1 as he tossed three scoreless innings without giving up a hit, walking two and striking out four.  The four punchouts matches his personal high.

Merkel had two hits and two RBI as the Mustangs were limited to four hits, while Tony Miller scored both runs.  On the mound, Arik Fenstermacher took the loss and drops to 0-1 as he gave up four runs, three earned in 6 1/3 innings.

The Shoremen are scheduled to travel to Muhlenberg on Saturday to open their Centennial Conference schedule in a twinbill.  First pitch is slated for 12:30 p.m.