APRIL 4, 2005
BOB ZIADIE
KING'S BASEBALL HOLDS OFF SCRANTON, 7-6
SCRANTON -- The King's College
baseball team built a 7-4 lead, then held off a late University of
Scranton rally to hold on for an important 7-6 Freedom Conference victory
Monday at Connell Park.
With the win, King's improved to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Scranton slipped to 2-5 and 1-2.
After Scranton scored three first-inning runs, King's answered with three
of its own in the top half of the second inning. Nick Sorino walked and
moved to second when Rob Medlock reached base on an error. After Vince
Budzyn drew a two-out walk to load the bases, Jason Siebert delivered a
two-run single, followed by another Royal error which brought in Budzyn
from third with the tying run.
King's took a 4-3 lead in the third when Jeremy Faust singled and later
scored on a base hit from Rob Medlock. The Monarchs added another run in
the fourth when Matt Livoy reached base on an error and later scored on a
single by Faust to extend the lead to 5-3.
After Scranton scored to cut the lead to 5-4, King's added two runs in the
fifth. Medlock and J.R. Graver posted back-to-back singles. After an
infield grounder by Dan Buckley advanced the runners to second and third,
Budzyn came through with a two-run single to put the Monarchs on top 7-4.
In the eighth Scranton would attempt to rally and cut the lead to 7-5 when
Mike Cottone was hit by a pitch with two out. John Sheehan then singled to
left center before a Mike Graziano base hit to left brought home Cottone.
In the bottom of the ninth, Scranton threatened again. Chris Boehme led
off with a double, followed by an RBI double from Dominic McNulty to cut
the lead to 7-6.
King's coach Jerry Greeley then brought in number-one starter Paul
Giovannoli who induced Dennis Johnson into a grounder to Siebert at
shortstop. Giovannoli then struck out Nick Rodio before Chris Bauman
grounded out to Seibert to end the game.
The Monarchs posted 10 hits, keyed by Medlock with a 3-for-5, two-run
effort. Faust was 2-for-4 with an RBI while Budzyn and Siebert both drove
in two runs.
Kyle Ehlis picked up the win in relief of Medlock, who started on the
hill. Ehlis pitched five innings and allowed six hits and two runs before
Giovannoli shut the door to garner his first save of the season.
Boehm led Scranton with a 4-for-5 outing while Sheehan and McNulty added
two hits.
King's will host Drew Tuesday in a 1:00 p.. doubleheader at Betzler
Fields.
