Wilkes University Athletics

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS WILKES UNIVERSITY COLONELS

Steve Finkernagel

Stephen Ruch went 4-for-5 with two RBI's in the win over Eastern Friday

14 HITS LIFTS WILKES BASEBALL OVER EASTERN 8-7 IN 11 INNINGS IN FREEDOM OPENER

3/14/2014 8:35:00 PM

Box Score

14 HITS LIFTS WILKES BASEBALL OVER EASTERN 8-7 IN 11 INNINGS IN FREEDOM OPENER

FLEMINGTON, NJ – With the game tied at 7-7 heading into the bottom of the eleventh inning, Wilkes University managed to load the bases and used a hit-by-pitch to plate the game-winning run as the Colonels opened Freedom Conference play with an 8-7 victory over Eastern University Friday afternoon at Diamond Nation.

Wilkes improves to 4-4 on the year and 1-0 in league games following the win. Eastern remains winless at 0-5 overall and 0-1 in conference games.

Wilkes opened a 5-1 lead after two innings thanks to three runs in the first and two more in the second. James Brown (Covington, PA/North Pocono) drew a bases-loaded walk and Tyler Marino (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Meyers)'s fielder's choice scored Tom Ring (Massapequa Park, NY/St. John the Baptist) for the Colonels first two runs. Stephen Ruch (Dallas, PA/Holy Redeemer) scored the third run when he crossed the plate on a throwing error by the Eastern shortstop.

RBI singles from Ring and Ruch pushed the lead to four in the second inning. After Eastern tied the game in the top of the fourth, Wilkes responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to take the advantage back at 7-5. Ring and Ruch were at it again providing their second RBI singles of the contest.

Eastern tied the game for a second time at 7-7 in the third scoring two runs in the frame on an RBI single and bases-loaded walk.

The game would go tied through the tenth before the Colonels plated the winning run in the bottom of the eleventh. Matthew Reese (Wellsboro, PA/Wellsboro) began the inning with a single and Ring followed with a free pass. Ruch singled to load the bases before Marcus Leaf (Reading, PA/Berks Catholic) was hit by a pitch to score the game-winner.

Ruch led the Wilkes offense finishing 4-for-5 with two RBI's. Reese and Ring each contributed three hits with Ring also collecting two RBI's.

Tyler Orr led the Eastern offense with three this and four RBI's.

Ring also recorded the win on the mound pitching a scoreless final three and a third. Andrew Check suffered the loss for Eastern pitching the eleventh.

The teams will play its doubleheader Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at Eastern to conclude the three-game series.

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