George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Charlotte
Zebroski's Two Home Runs Power 9-4 Victory
4/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 24, 2010
ARLINGTON, VA - The George Washington University baseball team resumed action against first place Charlotte on Saturday and evened the series with a 9-4 victory at Barcroft Park. The Colonials offense was led by senior Tom Zebroski, who hit two home runs and drove in six runs. Junior Eric Cantrell threw eight innings and struck out eight while allowing three runs in earning his seventh victory of the season.
The Colonials started slow out of the gate and were unable to score in the first four frames, but they limited the 49ers attack and trailed by just 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
In the fifth inning, though, the Colonials took advantage of two hit batsmen, by 49ers starter Tyler Pilkington, which set up Zebroski's first three-run home run of the day and gave the Colonials a 3-1 lead after five. The lead was short-lived, however, as Charlotte rallied for two runs, creating a 3-3 tie going into the bottom of the sixth.
George Washington's breakthrough sixth inning began with walks by senior Jon Chirumbolo and junior Brendon Kelliher. Senior Curtis Eward then lined a double down the left field line to drive in the first run of the frame. After a strikeout, Robbie Haben sent a groundball to the shortstop; Chirumbolo avoided the tag at home and extended the Colonials lead to 5-3. Zebroski then hit his second three-run home run of the game to push the lead to 8-3.
Cantrell took over the rest of the way, allowing just one more run in the eighth inning and pushed his team-leading strikeout total to 83 on the year. The Colonials' program record is 110 strikeouts, accomplished by Hank Bunnell in 1970. Stephen Oswald and Justin Albright combined to close out the game with a scoreless ninth inning of work.
With this victory, George Washington pulls within one game of Charlotte for first place in the A-10, with a 10-4 record.
The series finale will take place at Barcroft Park with the first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m. With a victory, the Colonials could force a first place tie and would own the tiebreaker over the 49ers. Junior Joe Richardson is the scheduled starter for the Colonials.
For more news about GW Athletics, visit www.GWsports.com.
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