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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- The Williams baseball team (21-9) could not
come up with the necessary clutch hitting in a non-conference 5-3
loss to RPI (28-8) this afternoon. It was a game that looked
like it might get out of hand early after RPI jumped out to a 4-0
lead in the second, but the Ephs hung tough with the #17-ranked Red
Hawks, holding them to just one run in the remaining seven
innings. However, the offensive opportunities were few and
far between for Williams, as RPI's pitching held them to just 5
hits, and despite 5 errors in the field, their performances on the
mound proved to be enough for the win.
"They're [RPI] a good team, that's why they've won 28 games,"
said Eph head coach Bill Barrale. "We walked some batters in
key situations and we gave them extra outs. You can't extend
the inning against good teams or they make you pay."
All nine of RPI's starters entered today's game hitting over
.320 on the season, and most of them boasted averages over
.350. The Red Hawks potent offense threatened to score early
on Eph freshman starter Eddie Nadel in the first inning, but a
diving stop by senior first baseman Zack Stone with two outs and a
runner on third kept it a scoreless ballgame.
RPI would not be denied in the top of the second inning however,
as they tagged Nadel for 4 runs on 4 hits, including an RBI double
by senior Jim Devine and RBI singles by juniors Scott Robinson and
Pat Reardon. A strikeout-caught-stealing double play ended
the inning and got Nadel out of further trouble.
Nadel would come out after a scoreless third and rookie reliever
Harry Marino would enter to pitch the next three innings. He
worked effectively, allowing just 3 hits and 1 run on Robinson's
inside-the-park home run to center field in the sixth. Junior
Paul Burgdorf pitched a perfect seventh and freshman side-armer Dan
Grossman retired the last six in order, striking out three of
them. Although it looked formidable early, RPI's offense was
overmatched by the Eph bullpen's array of arms.
But the Ephmen could not get their offense going today.
Williams got on the scoreboard in the fourth after junior Al
Matthews's single was misplayed by the center fielder, allowing him
to reach third. Freshman Cameron Susk batted him in on a
ground ball. The Ephs scored again in the fifth when Stone
lead-off with a double and was driven in from third with two outs
by freshman Stephen Maier's triple to left center.
The Ephs trailed 5-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, and
RPI's senior starter Andrew Novick exited the game having allowed
just 1 earned run on 4 hits in his five innings of work.
Junior pitcher Ryan Washburn entered in relief and walked the bases
loaded. Rookie Dan Duval came in with one out to try and
prevent the Ephs from scoring, but after getting a out, he walked
freshman pinch hitter James Allison to give Williams their third
run. But Duval induced the final out to escape crucial
damage, and RPI maintained their 5-3 lead for the rest of the game.
"The bullpen did a fantastic job today. Marino, Burgdorf,
and Grossman were very impressive," remarked Barrale. "We had
a big chance to do something with the bases loaded but just
couldn't get that timely hit."
The Ephs continue their stretch of six games in six days
tomorrow as they host Springfield College for another
non-conference matchup before a home doubleheader against MIT this
Saturday. The first pitch will be delivered at 4PM tomorrow
at Bobby Coombs Field.
