Brad McElroy had five hits in Charlotte's doubleheader split with Temple Saturday. |
||||||||||
|
Niners Split Doubleheader at Temple to Win Conference Series
April 5, 2008
Ambler, Pa. - The Charlotte 49ers split a Saturday doubleheader at Temple, dropping the early game 5-2, and winning the nightcap 9-5. Charlotte is now 23-5 on the season, 8-1 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. The Niners have won their last 14 straight league series, dating back to the end of the 2006 season. Temple is now 13-13, and 6-3 in A-10 play.
GAME ONE
Charlotte put up two quick runs in the top of the first on the sixth home run of the year by senior center fielder Brad McElroy. Charlotte then gave up five unanswered runs to drop the game.
The game marked the return of junior Zach Rosenbaum. After a three week absence, Rosenbaum returned and lasted 3.2 innings, allowing five hits and five walks, with four strikeouts. He took his first loss of 2008 (3-1). Kelly McLain came in to relieve him and tossed 4/1 scoreless innings of two-hit baseball, striking out one.
Temple's Tom Dolan returned after injury as well, getting the win after five innings of work (3-3). He allowed just the two-run homer, along with three other hits and three walks, with three strikeouts.
GAME TWO
Charlotte was able to again score in the first inning, putting up three runs on four hits and a pair of walks against starter Mike Mongiardini. Just like game one, the Owls were able to put up runs in the first as well, scoring three off of emergency starter Luke Stahl on three hits, a hit batter and a pair of Charlotte errors.
Stahl settled in after the hit batter and struck out the side, as well as retire 15 of the next 18 batters he faced to let the offense score runs.
The offense came through for three runs in the third, including a bases-loaded, two-RBI single by pinch hitter Alan Parks. Charlotte put up another run in the fourth and fifth to extend the lead to 8-3.
|
|
 |
The Owls scored runs in the seventh and eighth innings before the Niners added the final run in the ninth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Rob Lyerly, who was playing first base for the first time this season. He made several great defensive plays to save runs for Charlotte at first.
Stahl got the win (2-1). After the three hits in the first, he only allowed three more in the next five innings. He struck out a career-high seven in the victory.
Temple reliever Ryan Thomas took the loss (1-1). He pitched 3.2 innings and gave up seven hits and two walks, allowing five runs in his outing.
Charlotte returns home Tuesday to complete the suspended game versus North Carolina A&T State from March 19 before playing the regularly scheduled nine-inning contest. The action begins at 6 p.m. at Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium.
