Grizzlies continue HCAC success

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By Matt Muncy, April 20, 2009

The Grizzlies extended their winning streak to six, their longest of the season. They had two five-game winning streaks before their current one. The Grizzlies are 11-1 in April this season.

 

“We feel confident that we have a strong team,” said head coach Lance Marshall.

Saturday was a doubleheader with the first game scheduled for seven innings and the second game scheduled for nine innings.

 

In the first game the Grizzlies offense got hot right out of the gate scoring 15 runs in the first three innings, leading 15-7. They added three runs in the fourth and one in the fifth while the Pioneers added one in the fourth and one in the ninth.

 

“We got a hitting team and sometimes it works early and sometimes it comes on late, said Marshall. “It turned into a very high scoring weekend for us.”

 

Sophomore Derrik Patterson earned his seventh win of the season after pitching five innings and giving up eight runs. Sophomore Devin McNealy and junior Joe Paul each pitched one inning.

 

Game two saw the Grizzlies offense open slowly, but finish strong. They scored four runs in the first two innings and three in the sixth before unloading on the Pioneers for six runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach. The Grizzlies led 13-5 after seven and added three more in the eighth to take a 16-6 lead.

 

Freshman Shawn Mattingly earned his fifth win of the season pitching six innings and giving up four runs on six hits. McNealy pitched relief in his second straight game. He pitched one and a third innings and gave up one run. Senior Marcus Larson pitched the final one and two thirds innings to finish off the Pioneers.

 

Game three was a close game for the Grizzlies. After winning by 10 runs in each of the first two games, the Pioneers were hungry for a win.

 

The Grizzlies took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning before both teams scored four runs in the second inning. The Grizzlies added three more runs in the fourth to make it 8-4, but the Pioneers fought back and scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie it at 8-8. The teams fought back and forth for the lead with the Grizzlies scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth followed by the Pioneers scoring a run in the seventh and one in the top of the ninth.

 

With the game tied junior Paul Strack flew out to left field for the first out of the ninth inning, followed by senior Adam Blackburn being walked. Sophomore Ian Sanders singled and advanced Blackburn to third base. Senior Joel Chrobak was intentionally walked which brought up senior Jim Sweinconek who was 0-3 on the day. With the bases load Sweinconek swung and hit a walk-off grand slam to left field to win the game.

 

“I was happy for the team and happy for Jim,” said Marshall. “Everyone thought he would come through for the team and he did.”

 

The Grizzlies take on Wilmington College Tuesday at 4 p.m. and play rival Hanover College at Victory Field on Thursday at 6 p.m.