Owls Inch Closer To The Postseason With 9-7 Win Over Dayton :: Magic number is one with three conference games left

May 11, 2008

AMBLER, PA - Temple inched closer to its first postseason appearance since 2002 by defeating Dayton, 9-7, on Sunday at Skip Wilson Field. The Owls broke open a 5-5 game with four runs in the sixth inning and senior Arshwin Asjes tied the school record with his eighth save of the season by pitching the final two innings without allowing a run.

"It was important that we got on track and won the series," head coach Rob Valli said. "It's a successful weekend if we can win the series."

With three games remaining in the conference schedule, the Cherry and White (23-26, 14-10 A-10) hold a three-game lead over seventh place Dayton, Fordham and George Washington. The "magic number" is only one, meaning either a Temple win or losses by both Fordham and GW would put the Cherry and White into the Atlantic 10 Tournament, held May 21-24 at Campbell's Field in Camden, NJ. Dayton could catch the Owls with a sweep but would lose the tiebreaker against TU.

"We'll travel to Saint Louis and our goal will be to win the series," Valli said. "Wherever that puts us in the standings, that's where we'll be."

After Dayton (29-23, 11-13) tied the game up at five with two runs in the sixth, freshman Steve Nikorak led off the bottom half of the inning with a single. After a fly-out, junior Mark Ortega walked.

Junior Jamie Abercrombie then put the Owls on top for good with a clutch double to right-center. An intentional walk to senior Stan Orzechowski loaded the bases for junior Carmen Del Mastro.

Del Mastro was hit by a pitch on a 3-2 count to drive in a run and junior Sean Barksdale blooped in a single to right to make it 8-5. After a strikeout, sophomore Matt Heltz fouled off five pitches with two strikes before working another bases loaded walk to give the Owls a four-run lead.

Dayton responded with two runs in the seventh, but would get no closer as sophomore and winning pitcher Ryan Thomas and Asjes combined to retire eight of the final nine batters to seal the win. Thomas improves to 3-2 with the victory after allowing two earned runs in 1.2 innings.

Asjes struck out two for his second save in as many days. He ties Peter Moore on the single season list, who also saved eight games in 1999.

Eight of nine Temple starters had at least one hit, led by Barksdale's three. Nikorak and Abercrombie each had two, while freshman Byron McKoy had a two-run single as part of a four-run first inning. Orzechowski homered and scored three runs for TU.

Senior Mike Mongiardini struck out six batters in 5.1 innings. He allowed four earned runs in picking up the no-decision in his final start at Skip Wilson Field.

Kevin Miller had three hits and drove in three for Dayton. Chris Beesley (2-5) suffered the loss after surrendering three earned runs in 4.2 innings of relief.

The Owls honored their seven seniors in a pregame ceremony. Asjes, Orzechowski, John Coyle, Tom Dolan, Eric Fritz, Mike Kelch and Mike Mongiardini were making their final home appearance for the Cherry and White.

Temple visits Villanova on Tuesday in its final non-conference game of the season. First pitch is set for 3:15 PM.