SRU sweeps pair from league-leading Vulcans

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

April 23, 2005 Last Updated: April 23, 2005 04:43 PM College

SLIPPERY ROCK - Two games, two dramatic endings - and two wins for Slippery Rock University.

After SRU pitcher Rocky D'Angelo got California (Pa.) slugger Mike Larson to fly out to the warning track with the tying runs on base in the final inning of the first game, The Rock's Chase Rowe belted a three-run homer in the final inning of the second game.

Both plays resulted in 4-2 victories for SRU and a sweep of its doubleheader against the PSAC West-leading Vulcans Friday at Critchfield Park.

"It all worked out for us," SRU coach Jeff Messer said. "And we needed these games a lot more than California did."

While the Vulcans continue to lead the PSAC West with a 10-4 league record, SRU, Shippensburg and Clarion are tied for second at 8-6. The top three teams in the West qualify for the PSAC Tournament.

"It's four teams fighting for three spots," California coach Mike Conte said. "It's going to be that way right to the end.

"We're not taking first place for granted. We can't take any team we play for granted. Every game is important."

That was especially true for SRU Friday. With a doubleheader at California scheduled this weekend, two losses would have put The Rock in danger of falling out of playoff contention.

SRU had lost nine of its last 12 before Friday.

"This was do or die," D'Angelo said. "I felt like I had to win."

D'Angelo retired the first 11 California batters he faced before Larson hit a two-out double in the fourth and was stranded.

Rain arrived in the third inning of Game 1 and never left the rest of the day, but neither game was ever delayed.

The Rock scored first in Game 1 when Brad Wilson led off with a walk and scored from first on Matt Messer's two-run double down the left field line.

Wilson just made it under the catcher's tag.

"It was a gamble to send him," Messer admitted. "But we weren't going to get many chances against (Vulcans starting pitcher Ian) Heisel. I thought that play set the tone for the day.

"If they tag him out, things might have gone in the wrong direction for us."

Instead, Dave Gonos' RBI double and a wild pitch gave SRU a 3-0 lead in the fourth. The Rock led 4-2 in the seventh before Cal put runners on first and second with two outs.

Larson, carrying a .372 average with seven home runs, hit a deep drive to center on a 3-2 pitch.

"The way it was raining, I didn't think he'd hit a home run," D'Angelo said. "And our best outfielder was out there in Matt Kozusko."

Kozusko caught the ball on the warning track to end the game.

"Rocky was facing the conference MVP with the game on the line and he kept battling him and battling him," Messer said.

D'Angelo threw 32 pitches in the first three innings, 91 over the final four frames.

Vulcans starter Chris Doerschner needed only three outs in the bottom of the seventh to secure victory in Game 2.

He never got them.

California snapped a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh when Patrick Sadler walked, was bunted to second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when catcher Wilson's errant throw eluded the third baseman.

With the rain falling harder than ever, J.D. Lowry walked to begin the SRU seventh. Phil Butch bunted him to second and Kozusko walked.

When the count went to 3-0 on Knoch graduate Rowe, the Vulcans replaced Doerschner with Bryan Hilbert.

Hilbert threw a strike to Rowe. He then painted a fastball on the outside corner - just what the left-handed hitter was looking for.

"I wanted a fastball on the outside because the wind was pushing toward left field and wouldn't hang the ball up if hit it there," Rowe said.

Rowe's fly ball hooked around the foul pole and over the fence for a three-run homer to end the game.

"I was shocked they pitched to him behind in the count to the No. 2 hitter in the conference when we had a pinch-hitter on deck," Messer said. "I'd have been tempted to pitch around him."

Dan Herisko went the distance for the win in Game 2, throwing 97 pitches.

Notes:

Rowe entered the twinbill with a .421 batting average, second in the PSAC. He now has five homers and 33 RBI. … Heisel and Doerschner have earned run averages of 2.35 and 2.44, respectively. … California has a team batting average of .309, but managed just nine total hits Friday.

First Game

California 000 010 1 - 2 4 0

SRU 010 201 x - 4 4 2

WP:

Rocky D'Angelo (7 IP) 8 strikeouts, 3 walks.

LP:

Ian Heisel (6 IP) 8 strikeouts, 6 walks

California:

Jason Smith 1B RBI, Mike Larson 2B, Jim Samolovitch 1B, Robert Hedrick 1B RBI

SRU:

Dave Gonos 2B 1B 2-RBI, Matt Messer 2B RBI, J.D. Lowry 1B

Second Game