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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA—A four-run seventh inning propelled the Williams baseball team to victory in a crucial league game Sunday, winning 4-3 over Wesleyan.
"It was really a must-win game for us," Coach Bill Barrale said after the game. The Ephs wrapped up their three-game series with the Cardinals after splitting a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
Lefthander Ben Oliva got the start for Williams, and played his part in a game that, through five innings, appeared to be a pitcher's duel. Trailing 1-0, Oliva ran into trouble in the sixth, yielding a two-RBI double to Cardinal centerfielder Joe Giaimo. Giaimo advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Oliva struck out Noah Feingold for the inning's second out. Dan Grossman came on in relief and induced an inning-ending popup to shallow left field.
Oliva finished his day with 5 2/3 innings pitched, giving up six hits and three runs while striking out five. "Our pitching was outstanding," Barrale said, crediting his starter with a gutsy outing. "Ben Oliva is just a competitor, and really hung in there today."
For his part, starter Brett Yarusi was brilliant early for the Cardinals. Through four innings, he had faced the minimum number of hitters; through six he had given up just one hit and no runs. In the seventh, however, the Ephs finally got things to go their way.
Cameron Susk started things off with a single to deep short. Cleanup hitter Marco Hernandez grounded into a fielder's choice, but Susk slid in safely at second when the throw from third sailed wide. Taylor Mondshein dribbled a swinging bunt down the third base line to load the bases.
Rightfielder Pat Barren got the Ephs on the board with a flare up the middle that scored Susk and Hernandez, but the offense was not done. K.C. Murphy squared and laid down a bunt to the first baseman, but everyone was safe when Mondshein beat the throw to third. After an Adam Marske fielder's choice, first-year second baseman Matt Kastner lofted a fly ball to right field that ticked off the glove of a diving Sam Gruppo, scoring two runs and giving Williams a 4-3 lead.
Grossman pitched into the eighth inning without event before giving way to fireballer Jimmy Ray. Ray worked the final 1 2/3 innings, striking out two and earning his first save of the year.
"We put the ball in play and took advantage of some mistakes," Barrale commented. "You never know when the hits are going to drop. It's tough mentally to deal with it, but we found a way to win."
The Ephs improve to 15-6 with the win, but the in-conference implications of the game were much larger. "We've got a good team, but our conference record isn't great," Barrale said of the Ephs, just 2-4 in the NESCAC. "We haven't been giving them away, it's just important to stay patient in this league."
