George Washington University
3-8
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE
9-3
Late Rally Sinks GW Baseball in Series Finale
3/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
WASHINGTON - The George Washington baseball team entered the final inning in a 3-3 tie game but conceded a six-run ninth inning as CSUN earned the sweep with a 9-3 win on Sunday afternoon at Tucker Field.
Senior Jacob Williams turned in a fine performance but earned a hard-luck no decision after the Matadors rallied in the ninth.
Leading 2-1, Williams exited after hitting the first batter of the eighth inning and allowing a sacrifice. He was relieved by junior Shane Sweeney, but an error on a failed pickoff attempt with the runners at the corners tied the game at 2-2. A RBI single moments later by Yusuke Akitoshi put the Matadors on top, 3-2.
GW's Andrew Selby led off the bottom of the eighth with a double to deep right field and scored to tie the game on a RBI single by Bobby Campbell. Metz followed with a double to left field but Campbell was thrown out at the plate to send the game to the ninth inning tied at 3-3.
CSUN then took control with a six-run top half of the ninth inning to pull ahead 9-3. The onslaught included a bases-clearing double by Brendan Berry and a two-run home run by Albee Weiss. GW was unable to mount a comeback, going down in order in the ninth.
It spoiled a strong outing from Williams, who allowed consecutive singles to leadoff the game but escaped the jam without any damage. Senior Matthieu Robert threw out an attempted steal at third base and Williams induced a flyout and groudout to escape the jam.
Junior Joey Bartosic sliced a leadoff triple to the right field corner to open the bottom of the first and he was brought in on a RBI groundout by sophomore Mark Osis to put the Colonials ahead, 1-0.
Williams retired side in order in the second inning before yielding a run on two hits in the top of the third. CSUN (9-3) tied the game on a fielder's choice RBI by Yusuke Akitoshi before Williams retired the side on an inning-ending double play.
GW (3-8) threatened in the bottom of the fourth with consecutive two-out singles from Selby and Campbell but a hard lineout ended the inning.
Metz led off the bottom of the fifth by roping a leadoff double to left field. He advanced to third when Kashi singled through the right side of the infield. A double play erased the runner at first and a groundout got Matador pitcher Joe Ryan out of the jam.
Williams responded by retiring the side in order in the top half of the sixth inning.
Osis led off the sixth with a standup triple to the right field corner. After a groundout, Selby reached safely on a throwing error during sacrifice bunt attempt, scoring Osis from third base to put the Colonials ahead, 2-1.
Metz and Selby both collected three hits while Bartosic, Campbell and Kashi each added two apiece.
GW returns to action on Wednesday when it visits Maryland in College Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: O'Neil, Conner (2-0)
L: Ritchie, Brandon (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Berry, Branden 1
HR: Weiss, Albee 1
RBI: Smith, Fred 1 ; Akitoshi, Yusuke 2 ; Berry, Branden 3 ; Weiss, Albee 2
SH: Schuman, Bobby 1 ; Orona, Elias 2
SF: Smith, Fred 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Smith, Fred 1 ; Akitoshi, Yusuke 1 ; Berry, Branden 1 ; Weiss, Albee 1 ; Colantono, William 1 ; Ruiz, Jose 3 ; Orona, Elias 1
SB: Akitoshi, Yusuke 1
CS: Smith, Fred 1
HBP: Ruiz, Jose 1
Batting:
2B: Selby, Andrew 1 ; Metz, Robbie 2
3B: Bartosic, Joey 1 ; Osis, Mark 1
RBI: Osis, Mark 1 ; Selby, Andrew 1 ; Campbell, Bobby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bartosic, Joey 1 ; Osis, Mark 1 ; Selby, Andrew 1
