Teams: Baseball: Schedule & Results

JUMBOS FINISH SPRING TRIP WITH ROUSING 12-10 WIN AT VIRGINIA WESLEYAN

COLLEGE BASEBALL FINAL SCORE
Tufts 12    Virginia Wesleyan 10

At Virginia Beach, VA
Sunday, March 25, 2007

Game Box Score

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Sunday�s 12-10 victory for Tufts University over host Virginia Wesleyan College finished the team's spring break trip with an impressive comeback. The Jumbos (7-4) erupted for nine runs over the last three innings, posting five in the eighth, to pull out the victory. The Marlins (14-8), who built a 10-3 lead after six innings, and seemingly had matters in hand, were stunned by a Jumbo team that showed fortitude at the end of a long road trip.

The Jumbos started to chip away at the deficit with a two-run seventh inning helped by a single by Bryan McDavitt (Holden, MA). Virginia Wesleyan came back with back-to-back singles from seniors Matt Hudgins (Virginia Beach, VA) and Ricky Allred (Virginia Beach, VA) in the bottom of the inning, but left them stranded without the supporting hits.

That opened the door for Tufts in the top of the eighth and the Jumbos seized the opportunity immediately as Chris Decembrele (Walpole, MA) ripped a solo homer to lead off the inning. Three hits, one hit batsman, a fielder�s choice, a VWC error and a wild pitch later, the Jumbos had four more runs across the plate to create a 10-all tie.

Virginia Wesleyan answered quickly as sophomore Brandon Hathaway (Williamsburg, VA) led off the bottom of the eighth with a single. He stole second and watched the Marlins� spark snuffed out as Tufts turned three consecutive outs to keep the score tied heading into the top of the ninth.

That started off well for Virginia Wesleyan as the first two Jumbos batters struck out looking. But Caleb Sims (Burlington, MA) kept things alive by drawing a walk and stealing second base. John Temple (Boca Raton, FL) also drew a walk, setting things up for Brian Casey (Milford, MA) who doubled to right field to score both runners for what turned out to be the go-ahead runs.

Virginia Wesleyan�s bottom of the ninth capped the home team�s fall as the Marlins were put down 1-2-3 to end the game.

Steve Ragonese (Upper Saddle River, NJ) recorded a double and two singles for Tufts, which also received three singles from Sims. Both teams connected for 13 hits, with Hudgins leading the Marlins with a double and two singles.

A total of 13 pitchers threw in the game, including seven by Tufts. Carlos Lopez (Brooklyn, NY) started for the Jumbos and Casey finished, picking up the win. The group combined to strike out eight batters and walk five. Virginia Wesleyan opened with rookie Nick Pisula (Virginia Beach, VA) and closed with rookie Nick Wilson (Virginia Beach, VA). The Marlins� sextet struck out six batters and walked five.

The Jumbos return home and begin their NESCAC East Division schedule at Huskins Field next weekend against Bates College. Virginia Wesleyan will compete again on Monday at Averett University in a non-conference game beginning at 2:30 p.m.

#