George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Liberty
Liberty Defeats GW Baseball in 10 Innings
3/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 10, 2007
LYNCHBURG, VA - Liberty University's (12-4) Derek Bennion hit a two-out double in the bottom of the tenth inning that scored the winning run and lifted the Flames to a 7-6 win over George Washington (1-11) at Worthington Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The teams entered the 10th inning tied at six runs apiece. After GW was unable to score in the top half, Liberty had their chance to win the game in the bottom of the frame and they took full advantage. Junior Aaron Phillips led off with a single up the middle and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Errol Hollinger. Two batters later, Bennion drove his double into left field to score Phillips and the winning run.
Sophomore Pat Lehman (0-2) pitched the final 5 2/3 innings in relief and was tagged with the loss after surrendering two runs. Ryan page (2-0) earned the win for Liberty.
The Colonials got on the scoreboard first, scoring two runs in the second inning. Junior Charlie Kruer began with a double (2) to left center and later scored on sophomore Chris Marsicano's single up the middle. The next batter, junior Gavin Swanson, doubled to right field to plate Marsicano.
GW added two more runs in the third to extend their lead to 4-0. Senior Mickey Shupin reached on an infield single, advanced to second on Tom Zebroski's sacrifice bunt, stole third and then came around to score on Kruer's groundout to the pitcher. Another groundout, this time off the bat off Lehman, sent home senior Michael Parker.
The final two GW runs came in the top of the fifth. After Parker singled to center field, Kruer pounded a home run (3) to right-center field and gave the Colonials a 6-1 lead. Unfortunately, that advantage would be short lived.
Liberty scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth and another one in the eighth to the tie game at six and send it to extra frames.
Kruer finished his day 3-for-5 with two runs, a double, a home run and three RBI. Shupin added three hits of his own and is now 5-for-10 in the two games at Liberty.
The series concludes on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Worthington Stadium. GW will make its home debut on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. when they host William & Mary at Barcroft Park. It is the first of six games in six days at their home field. Wednesday's game against George Mason University, rescheduled from last week's postponement, will begin at 2:00 p.m. and not 3:00 p.m. as was originally reported.
- GW -
