The Collegian

Issue date: 5/15/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Zack Farmer

Taking on cross-bay rival USF this past weekend in the final series of the WCC season, the Gaels were unable to preserve a late inning tie and a late inning lead in the final two games to salvage the series.

In the first game, USF compiled an 11-1 victory behind a six run offensive explosion in the seventh inning.

Junior Sean Gleason was pegged with the loss to drop him to 4-8 on the season. Gleason gave up nine runs, eight of which were earned in six and a third innings work, while reliever Jimmy Munhill '10 surrendered the final two USF runs in the eight.

However, the Gaels did rebound well on Saturday, which turned into a genuine pitching duel.

USF struck first with a run in the bottom of the opening frame. The Dons' Joey Railey singled, advanced to second on a sac bunt and then scored on a wild throw to third by catcher Ian Gordon trying to catch the runner stealing.

The Gaels answered right back with a run in the top of the second on a two-out Fuglerud homerun to right.

The Dons, however, broke out again for two runs in the sixth with a string of three singles and a walk, all with two outs. It stayed that way until the ninth.

After Musgrove singled to start the inning and Fuglerud walked, Gordon drove in pinch-runner Brian Hawkins to close the gap to 3-2. Then, Fuglerud scored on a throwing error, tying the score at three.

Taylor Stanton '10 came in to pitch and gave up a double and then intentionally walked the next batter. On a double steal two pitches later, freshman catcher Ryan Mulligan, who had just entered the game for Gordon, threw the ball down the left field line to catch the runner, but not fast enough, giving the Dons the winning run.

Hoping to steal one win from the Dons, the Gaels drew first blood on the final day of the season, plating four runs in the top of the first.

After the first three batters reached base, Musgrove doubled and picked up two RBIs. Cipolla and Gordon drove in a run each on a groundout and sac fly, respectively.

USF tied the score in the third on three doubles and a pair of singles. Gael starter Brandon Berl lasted through the sixth surrendering only one more run, leaving the Gaels with a 6-5 deficit.

In the eighth, the Gaels got a three-run blast from freshman Anthony Allioti that scored pinch-runner Hawkins and Cattoni.

The final Saint Mary's run came in the ninth on back-to-back doubles from Gordon and Fuglerud.

However, the Dons weren't quite done, managing to score three more runs. A costly error by leftfielder Cattoni allowed USF senior Jonathan Norfolk a walk-off two run homer that secured the sweep of the series.

The Gaels end their season with a 21-29-1 record overall.

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