‘Novas Rally to Win in Ninth
By Stephen Owens Hoya Staff Writer
The Georgetown baseball team continued its topsy-turvy season this week, adding a win and a loss to their record. On Tuesday, the Hoyas overcame an early six-run deficit to defeat cross-city rival George Washington 9-8 in 10 innings. On Wednesday, Villanova gave the Hoyas a taste of their own medicine, using a six-run ninth inning to erase the Hoya’s one-run lead en route to winning 12-7.
The Hoyas are now 15-16 on the year and 2-7 in the Big East.
Head Coach Kirk Mason deemed the Hoyas’ relief pitching the deciding factor of the two games this week.
“[Wednesday], our bullpen shut [George Washington] down and we were able to come back and score enough runs to win the game,” ason said, “but [Thursday], our bullpen gave up 8 runs.”
On Thursday, Hoya ace Derek Pines pitched well enough to give his team its third Big East win, allowing four runs in 6-2/3 innings while striking out seven, but the bullpen spoiled his performance, yielding eight runs in the last 2-1/3 innings. With an opportunity to earn the win in the ninth, senior closer Ben Becchetti loaded the bases before being relieved by sophomore Randy Erwin. Erwin was unable to pitch the Hoyas out of the jam he inherited, and Becchetti earned the loss, dropping his record to 1-2.
Freshman pinch hitter Matt Bok’s two-RBI single gave the Hoyas their last lead in the bottom of the eighth. Sophomore Brian Cassese also led the Hoyas, belting three hits, driving in one and scoring once, in addition to swiping three bases.
Matt Longo, Rob Cafiero, Bill Brehm, and Brian Buckingham led the Wildcats with two RBIs each.
On Wednesday, the Hoyas made the most of a poor start by sophomore Matt Arizin, who surrendered 10 hits and eight runs over 7 innings. Freshman Tony Pina continued his dominance on the mound, pitching a scoreless 2 2/3 innings and lowering his team-best ERA to a scant 1.29. Pina improved his record to 3-0.
Jeremy Harowitz was perfect on the day, going 3-for-3, scoring twice, and driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning. Junior second baseman Josh Corman and freshman infielder Jon Blodgett each added two runs of their own. Blodgett stole a pair of bases as well.
Left fielder Dan Rouhier and third baseman Ted Currie led the Colonials with three RBIs each.
Over Easter break, the Hoyas celebrated the holidays with a pair of Big East doubleheaders on the road against Pittsburgh on April 1 and Boston College on April 3. The Hoyas split each of the doubleheaders, finally entering the Big East win column this year.
Against the Panthers, Corman’s team-leading fourth homer of the season and four RBI’s led the Hoyas to their first conference win, a 12-8 victory. The Hoyas were shutout in the nightcap, 13-0.
Two days later against the Eagles, senior Franklin Jarman paved the way for the Hoyas second conference win with an impressive complete game in which the Hoyas came away with a 2-1 victory. Senior Andrew Mariniello was the offensive hero for the Hoyas, driving in both runs for the Hoyas.
Again, however, the Hoyas were unable to complete the doubleheader sweep, dropping the second game 10-3.
This weekend, the Hoyas play host to Providence in a trio of games that could all but squelch the Hoya’s post-season hopes. Mason views this weekend’s games as pivotal.
“We pretty much have to win two games minimum,” Mason said, “in order to have any chance at all of post-season play.”
The Hoyas and Friars will begin battle at noon on Harbin Field on Saturday for a doubleheader. The two teams will play a third game on Sunday, same time and place.
