Saturday, April 1, 2006

Cougar GameDay program

Game 1 box
Game 2 box

Photos

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The University of Saint Francis and Grace College split a doubleheader Saturday, trading shutouts at Cougar Field. The Lancers needed just one first-inning run to take a 1-0 win in the opener and USF recovered some pride with a 3-0 result in game two.

Geoff Walmer drove in the only run of game one on a suicide squeeze that plated Ryan Combs with one out in the first. With a 1-0 lead, Jeff Hamstra went to work on the USF lineup, facing the minimum through four.

Jarrod Wehri broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff double in the fifth frame but later was stranded at third after Tony Drysdale popped up to right and Matt Altenburger rolled into 6-4-3 twin killing.

Cody Casagrande also worked out of several jams to keep the Cougars within striking distance, relying on solid defense. Mickey Cassidy took a run away from Grace in the seventh with a strong throw to first that nipped Hans Griepentrog at first for the third out after showcasing his range to reach a roller in the hole. 

The bottom of the seventh got off to a promising start as leadoff batter Andy Papagiannis drilled single up the middle. Josh Widman then pushed him to second with a sacrifice bunt, but Wehri and Beer each grounded out to end the game.

Casagrande (1-3) was the tough-luck loser, surrendering seven hits and the single run in seven innings of work. Hamstra picked up the win, allowing only three hits in six innings.

In the nightcap, USF staked starter Mark McCarty to a 1-0 lead after one on Wehri's RBI single through the left side scoring Cassidy before extending the advantage to 2-0 after two ad 3-0 following the third frame. Altenburger drove in Berto Nunez with a sac fly in the second and Wehri doubled in Papagiannis in the third.

McCarty kept the Lancers off balance all afternoon, never allowing more than one baserunner in any inning. The win improved the righthander to 3-1 on the season, 3-0 in MCC play. Adam Metzger took the loss for Grace.

USF (8-18, 4-6) plays one nine-inning contest at NCAA Division III Defiance College Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

-- GO USF --