George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
RHODE ISLAND
GW Baseball Rallies Again to Top URI, 6-5
5/10/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 10, 2014
WASHINGTON - For the second straight day the George Washington baseball team rallied from a late deficit to earn a walkoff victory over Rhode Island with a 6-5 win in game two of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Barcroft Park.
Dating back to last year's Atlantic 10 Championship, the Colonials have now earned three consecutive walkoff victories over Rhode Island.
GW (17-29, 9-14 A-10) fell behind 2-0 after Rhode Island (11-36, 6-15 A-10) plated a pair of runs in top of the fourth inning off of Colonials' starter Jacob Williams.
Williams got a no decision after allowing three earned runs on eight hits with two walks in 7.1 innings of work.
Consecutive base hits by junior Ryan Xepoleas and freshman Kevin Mahala opened the bottom half of the fifth inning and freshman Jon Steele delivered a RBI single to get GW on the board, making the score 2-1.
The Colonials tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth when freshman Andrew Selby led off with a bunt single, advanced to second on a groundout and scored on a RBI single by Xepoleas.
GW took its first lead of the day in the bottom of the seventh when a base hit by freshman Cody Bryant was followed by Kashi reaching on error to put runners on first and second with one out. Freshman Joey Bartosic was next to the plate and lined a base hit to left field to score pinch runner Gabe Scott and give GW a 3-2 lead.
Rhode Island responded by tying the game in the top of the eighth inning on a RBI groundout by Mike Corin.
Senior Owen Beightol reached second base on a two-base error to lead off the bottom of the eighth. He advanced to third via a sacrifice bunt from Xepoleas and scored on a RBI single by Steele, putting GW ahead, 4-3.
Down to their last strike in the top of the ninth inning, Rhode Island tied the score once again on a pinch hit RBI double by Martin Taveras.
A 20-minute rain delay then commenced and halted the game with a runner on second and two outs and score tied at 4-4. After the stoppage, Rhode Island took a 5-4 lead by scoring a run on a throwing error.
Bartosic led off the bottom of the ninth by reaching on a throwing error and advanced to second on a wild pitch before moving to third on a flyout. Campbell was next up and was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners. Beightol followed by driving a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a RBI single and tying the score at 5-5.
After a flyout, Mahala came to the plate and lofted the game-winning, walkoff single to center field to clinch the comeback and a 6-5 victory for the Colonials.
Steel finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead GW while Xepoleas (2-for-4, one RBI), Mahala (2-for-4, one RBI), Bartosic (2-for-5, one run, one RBI) and Selby (2-for-5, one run) each turned in multiple-hit efforts.
Senior Luke Staub earned the win for GW after retiring the final batter of the ninth inning.
GW will go for the sweep and its fourth straight win over Rhode Island in Sunday's series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
Prior to the game, seniors Beightol, Staub, Aaron Wesiberg, Colin Milon, Taylor Lambke and Craig Lejeune will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
