APRIL 5, 2002
BOB ZIADIE
KING'S BASEBALL HOLDS OFF SCRANTON, 9-8
SCRANTON -- Jeremy Sauers two-run single in the ninth inning broke a 7-7
tie and Andy French and Chris Persak added quality late-inning relief to
lead the King's College baseball team to a 9-8 MAC Freedom Conference
victory over the University of Scranton.
With the game tied 7-7 in the final inning, King's Jason Melendez reached
base on an error and was moved to second in a sacrifice bunt by Jon Deroba.
Charlie Jenkins then hit a screaming ground ball in between third and shrot
but Royals' third-baseman Bobby Davis made a diving catch of the ball to
prevent it from going into the outfield. Davis, however, attempted
to throw out Melendez at second and the errant throw allowed both King's
runners to advance to third and second respectively. Sauers then
followed with a solid dingle up the middle to plate both runners and give
King's a 9-7 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Scranton's Pat Dragotti led off the inning
with a double to left centerfield of French. Pat Reed's line drive
to centerfield was misplayed for an error, allowing the Royal to advance
to second base. French then induced Tony Vitanzo to ground out to third
for the first out while Scott Aufenanger popped up to second base for the
second out. Monarch coach Chip Sorber then brought in Persak from
the bullpen and the Monarch sophomore responded by retiring Matt Beggin
with a fly ball to shallow right field to end the game.
Melendez led the Monarchs with a 3-for-5 showing and scored three runs.
Sauers was 2-for-5 with three RBI, while Kalym DeJesus scored a pair
of runs as King's improved to 6-14-1 on the year.
French picked up the win with two innings of relief and got the Monarchs
out of a bases-loaded seventh inning jam. Persak earned the save.
The Monarchs host Scranton Saturday in a 1:000 p.m. doubleheader at
Betzler Fields.
