Photo By Abigail MacMillan, Editor-in-Chief
By Matt Guear
With the series on the line, Tony Rossi’s heads-up baserunning led the baseball team past Catholic by a score of 4-3 in the latter portion of a doubleheader on Sunday at Harold Bollinger Field.
Following a bizarre play in the top of the ninth inning in which Catholic’s Liam Walsh was called out for runner interference while attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt, Mitchel Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to right field —tying up the game heading into the bottom half of the frame.
Catholic (12-6) pitcher Brendan Martin secured two quick outs against the top of the River Hawks’ (8-11) line up and it seemed the game was destined for extra innings. Rossi was then intentionally walked to bring up sophomore Michael Girardi, who managed to work a walk. Sophomore Jack Cahill also walked, which loaded the bases for Tyler Hmielewski.
However, Martin’s first pitch to Hmielewski evaded the Cardinals’ catcher Logan Eilbacher and went all the way to the back stop. Rossi didn’t break for home initially but did so after Eilbacher flipped the ball towards the plate where no one was covering which allowed Rossi to sprint home to secure the win and the series for the River Hawks.
Not only did Rossi’s baserunning secure the third game for the River Hawks, but his bat helped seal the first game on March 22, too.
The River Hawks won that game, 11-1 in seven innings, largely in part due to Rossi’s four for five day in which he was only a triple short of hitting for the cycle.
“I knew we needed two more runs. They were shifting me to the pull side, so I just put one in play to the opposite side,” said Rossi. “That’s why we play, pure electricity.”
SU pitcher Ryan Redmond pitched 6.2 innings in the series opener, allowing five hits that resulted in just one run.
“We needed a win. We knew it was going to come eventually, our team is way too talented to struggle like this,” said Redmond. “I’m glad I was able to give us a chance to win.”
While Rossi and Redmond both had standout performances, they weren’t the only ones who showed out.
Senior pitcher Teagan Duffie started the third game on the mound for the River Hawks. He pitched five innings while striking out eight batters, allowing just one hit.
Senior outfielder Sean McCulloch went 8-15 over the weekend with three stolen bases and an impressive diving catch in center field.
“My mindset is just to hit the ball up the middle and try and find a single,” said McCulloch. “If I can spray it all over the field, it’s even better.”
The River Hawks dropped the first game of the doubleheader, 5-2. Cardinals’ starting pitcher Roman Tozzi punched out nine River Hawks in five innings while Cody Bosak shut the door by pitching three scoreless innings.
The River Hawks will next be in action at Juniata on Wednesday.
