George Washington University
Rhode Island
Thomas' Game Winner Leads Colonials to 4-3 Victory
3/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 21, 2009
ARLINGTON, VA - The George Washington University baseball team bounced back Saturday afternoon at Barcroft Park with a 4-3 victory to even the weekend series with the Rhode Island Rams. Freshman Ryan Thomas perfectly executed a suicide squeeze to bring home Ollie Mittag to give the Colonials the victory. Junior Sean Rockey and sophomore Brendon Kelliher led the offense with multi hit games and senior Chris Neary threw eight innings and allowed just one run.
The game was a pitcher's duel throughout as Ram starter Nick Greenwood was equally up to the task, going six innings and allowing three earned runs. The left-hander struck out five and walked two. He was later relieved by Gardner Leaver, who pitched the final 2 and 1/3 innings and allowed the winning run.
The Colonials held a 3-1 lead going into the ninth inning, but were unable to close the game out as Rhode Island rallied for the second straight game to push the game into a bottom of the ninth inning.
George Washington's ninth inning began when pinch hitter Chris Marsicano led off the inning with a single through the right side to give the Colonials a base runner with no outs. Freshman Ollie Mittag came into run for Marsicano and moved to second base on senior Gavin Swanson's sacrifice. Senior Andrew Haberern lined the next pitch to centerfield and Ram outfielder Kenny Burns wasn't able to handle the ball, which left runners on the corners with one out.
This brought up Thomas, who executed the squeeze to perfection and once again was productive as he went 3-4 to push his batting average to .400.
The Colonials will return to the field tomorrow as both teams send their ace to the mound for the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and senior Pat Lehman is the probable starter for the Colonials. Lehman has a 0.93 ERA this season in 29 innings.
