George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
<b>TEMPLE</b>
GW Baseball Outlasted By Temple, 5-4
5/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 19, 2011
ARLINGTON, VA- The George Washington baseball team trailed 2-0 before rallying to tie the game, but could not overcome visiting Temple as they fell to the Owls 5-4 on Thursday afternoon at Barcroft Park.
GW (17-36, 7-15 A-10) fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning as Temple (24-27, 4-18 A-10) used consecutive doubles to open the scoring off of Colonial starter Brian Derner. Derner pitched well for the Colonials, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in eight and two-third innings of work.
The Colonials got on the board in the bottom of the third inning after sophomore Kyle Gelling reached second base following a bunt single and an error. Senior Brendon Kelliher then came up and singled through the left side to drive in Gelling and cut the Owls' lead to 2-1.
Derner retired nine consecutive batters before giving up a lead-off double in the sixth inning, but escaped the jam with a strikeout, ground out and line out.
In the bottom of the sixth inning juniors Jimmy Best and Brett Bowers drew consecutive walks with one out. Best then advanced to third following a failed pickoff attempt by Temple catcher Will Remillard. Junior Stephen Oswald then sharply lined a ball to shortstop, allowing Best to score from third, and tie the game 2-2, as Temple unsuccessfully attempted to turn a double play.
The score remained tied until the top of the eighth inning when Temple's Adrian Perez connected for a two-run home run off of Derner to give the Owls a 4-2 lead. Temple added a run in the ninth inning to extend the lead to 5-2. Jabair Kahn doubled with two outs and then scored on a misplayed ground ball by Bowers.
In the bottom of the ninth inning Oswald led off with a walk and sophomore Paul Pakan entered with two outs as a pinch hitter. Pakan, in his first plate appearance since March 26 due to a broken arm, launched the first pitch he saw down the left field line and over the fence for his first home run of the season and sixth of his career. Temple's Steve Nikorak then retired the final batter to clinch the win for the Owls.
GW and Temple will play game two of their final A-10 Conference series on Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm. Tommy Gately will get the start for the Colonials against Temple's Brant Norlander.
