Schenectady, N.Y. -- Williams College (11-17) was back in action on Tuesday night at Union College (15-16) in a non-conference matchup. The Ephs' 10-3 win was attributed to an outstanding pitching effort on the day. "Our pitchers threw an outstanding game today. We only let up four hits," claimed a pleased coach Bill Barrale after the win.
Junior Darren Hartwell got the Ephs' bats going early as he led off the game with a single to right field. Hartwell led Ephs batters today going 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored. Hartwell stole second and advanced to third on an overthrow to make it an easy jog home as fellow junior Taylor Mondshein roped a double to left.
Sophomore Steve Marino started on the mound for the Ephs and went 5 innings allowing 3 runs (3 earned) on 4 hits. Senior Dan Grossman relieved in the sixth inning and went three perfect innings while adding 3 strikeouts, earning the win. Junior Jimmy Ray closed the game in the ninth allowing no hit and throwing a strikeout of his own.
The Ephs added another run in the top of the second when sophomore Marco Hernandez singled to reach base and proceeded to steal second. Junior K.C. Murphy drove him home with a single to center field, to make the score 2-0.
Freshman Dan Friedman got the nod for the Dutchmen going 7 innings allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits. Friedman contributed 7 strikeouts and 2 walks to his outing. Freshman Matt McGavick relieved in the eighth inning for 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs (both unearned) on a walk and a hit and was charged with the loss. Junior Quinn Rhoda threw next for another 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits. Freshman Curt Myers threw the final 2/3 innings giving up 1 run (earned) on 1 hit and 2 walks.
In the bottom of the third, junior Matt Barretto and freshman Anders Goetz reached on base due to consecutive errors by the Ephs. Junior Dutchman Tyler Heck slugged a double to right bringing home Barretto. Sophomore David Peretti brought home Goetz with a sacrifice fly to tie the score, 2-2. Then, sophomore Vincent Esposito popped up another sac fly of his own, bringing home Heck, giving the Dutchmen a 3-2 lead.
Great defense by both squads stymied the score, 3-2, until the top of the 8th when Hartwell led off with a bunt for a single. Senior Ben Oliva drew a walk and Mondshein reached base because of an error by the shortstop. Speedsters Hartwell and Oliva would both advance and Hartwell scored to tie the ballgame. However, Oliva did not need to use his speed anymore, as sophomore Matt Kastner smacked a clutch single to left bringing him home, giving the Ephs a 4-3 lead. They would never look back. Kastner quickly managed to get to third as he stole second and advanced on an overthrow by the catcher. Hernandez drew a walk allowing freshman Phil McGovern batted a single to center bringing home Kastner. Pinch-hitting freshman Luke Pierce swatted a single to left bringing home pinch runner freshman David Webster. To cap off the five run inning, K.C. Murphy singled to center bringing home McGovern, to give the Ephs a 7-3 lead.
Grossman tossed a three up, three down eighth, and the Ephs gave Union no hope after a three run ninth. Oliva reached on a hit-by-pitch and he would steal second, then advance to third by tagging up on a fly out by Mondshein. Senior Cameron Susk singled home Oliva and advanced to second after Kastner walked to reach first. David Webster advanced both of them with a groundout putting them into scoring position for McGovern, who slugged a 2 RBI single to right, giving the Ephs a 10-3 score. Jimmy Ray kept the score that way when he closed the game in the ninth.
The Ephs (11-17) continue play tomorrow, April 25, 2012, when they head to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (16-15) for another non-conference game. Union College (15-16) will stay home to take on SUNY Plattsburgh (19-15) on Thursday, April 26.
