BASEBALL

MARCH 30, 2008

KING'S BASEBALL TEAM RALLIES PAST FDU FOR 8-6 VICTORY

WILKES-BARRE -- Matt Colgan, Ryan Knowles and Matt Fignar delivered three consecutive RBI doubles in the eighth inning as the King's College baseball team posted an 8-6 comeback victory over visiting FDU-Florham Sunday at Betzler Fields.

With the win, King's improved to 8-9 overall and 4-5 in Freedom Conference games. FDU, meanwhile, fell to 8-8 and 3-3.

FDU broke open a scoreless game with a three-run sixth inning on the strength of a two-run single by D.J. Hannah.

The Monarchs would respond with five runs in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to an infield RBI single by Jon Venarchick, a clutch three-run double from pinch hitter Sean Rooney, and an FDU error to take a 5-3 advantage.

The lead would be short-lived, however, as the Devils scored three runs in the seventh inning, two coming off a Monarch error to recapture a 6-5 lead.

In the decisive eighth inning, Pat McGlynn led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Unger. Colgan would follow with an RBI double down the left field line to tie the score at 6-6. Knowles then followed with a run-scoring double to left centerfield to give the Monarchs a 7-6 lead. Fignar would then step to the plate and ripped King's third straight triple down the left field line to score Knowles to push the score to 8-6.

In the ninth inning, Monarch relief pitcher Mark Yankowski would register three straight put-outs, including a strikeout to end the game.

Colgan, Jon Venarchick, and Matt Livoy led the Monarchs' 12-hit attack with two base hits each.

Matt VanStone (1-0) was the winning pitcher for King's, pitching one-third of an inning in the eighth. Yankowski earned his second save of the season. King's starter J.T. Levonick threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits with five strikeouts and two walks before leaving the game.

FDU managed seven hits from seven different hitters. Bill Buckless was the losing pitcher in relief, allowing all three runs in the eighth inning.

King's will next host the University of Scranton Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at Betzler Fields.