APRIL 21, 2003
BOB ZIADIE
KING'S BASEBALL SWEEPS SCRANTON
SCRANTON -- The King's College
baseball team swept a doubleheader from the University of Scranton in
dramatic fashion as the Monarchs won both games in their final at-bats.
King's captured the first game
in a 16-13 slugfest, while capturing the nightcap 9-5.
In the opener, the game was tied 13-13 entering the top of the seventh
inning when the Monarchs pushed across the winning runs. Charlie Jenkins
and Chris Rispoli drew walks while Seth Temple was hit by a pitch to load
the bases. Chris Persak then drove in the go-ahead run with an infield
ground out, before Jason Melendez delivered a two-run single.
Jenkins paved the way for King's offensively with a 2-for-4 effort,
including two home runs and five RBI. Melendez was 3-for-6 with
three RBI and a double. Jeremy Sauers was 2-for-5 with a three-run home
run in the fifth inning. Kyle Ehlis picked up the pitching victory in
relief, tossing two innings of scoreless baseball.
In the nightcap, King's trailed 5-4 and plated five runs in their last
at-bat. Rispoli, Temple, and Ryan Soden all singled to load the
bases. Bill Drazdowski reached base on an error as Rispoli and Temple
scored as the Monarchs took a 6-5 lead.
After a sacrifice bunt by Melendez moved runners to second and third,
Sorino drove in a run with a fielder's choice to push the score to 7-5.
Jeff Wells then delivered a two-run single to increase the lead to
9-5. From there, starting pitcher Chris Persak would hold the Royals
scoreless to earn the victory on the hill.
With the sweep, King's
improved to 12-13 overall and 7-9 in MAC Freedom Conference action.
The Monarchs also remained
mathematically alive for a Freedom Conference playoff berth for the fourth
and final spot. King's is 7-9 in league play with only a
doubleheader with first-place DeSales remaining on its conference
slate. Wilkes is 6-7 in conference with three league games against
Scranton and two against FDU-Florham on its schedule. Delaware Valley is
9-6 while FDU is 8-5. DeSales stands atop the league at 11-2
