Baseball finishes second

By JOE CLAYTON

After a successful regular season the University of Mary Washington baseball team placed second after a 6-5 win in 10 innings over Wesley College and a loss to both Salisbury University and York University at this weekend’s Capital Athletic Conference tournament resulting in a 22-18 record for the Eagles this year.

The opening game on Saturday, April 20 was a morning start for the Eagles against Salisbury University. The Sea Gulls jumped out to a quick 3-0 first inning lead with three runs off senior pitcher Torey Mancari, before UMW came back with two runs in the second inning and four in the third.

Mancari settled down after the first inning, allowing no runs through his next three, before giving way to junior Jake Black. Black allowed only one earned run through four innings of work.

In the second inning, sophomore Brendan Jones doubled and scored on an error before freshman James Sink scored on a wild pitch. Jones scored again in the fourth inning when freshman Conner Lilley reached on an error. Sophomore Jono Haught gave UMW the lead early in the fourth with a two-run homer. Kevin Stein extended the lead as he singled in freshman Cam Kostyack.

Unfortunately, this outburst concluded the scoring of the day for UMW. The Sea Gulls came back with an unearned run in the third inning and two more in the fourth. One run in the seventh and the eighth gave Salisbury the cushion they needed to hold off UMW for the win.

The Eagles’ second game of the day for the Eagles proved to be much more of a pitcher’s duel than game one. Through the first six innings, UMW and York combined for just one hit. A sac fly and a double in the eighth gave York the only two runs of the game.

Senior Mike Straub provided the Eagles with a strong pitching performance, allowing two runs in eight innings of work, while striking out nine batters.

The end of the conference tournament marks the end of the baseball team’s season, as well as the end of the college career of the seniors on the team. They depart leaving an imprint on the younger members of the team, the players said.

Andrew Slupek, freshman right-hander, spoke highly of the players who are graduating.

“I’m going to miss the seniors,” said Stupek.

Sophomore Alex Bryant thanked the seniors as well.

“I learned more this season than I have in any other,” said Bryant.