PHILADELPHIA – Efrain Santiago came through with a clutch three-run homer in the sixth inning of game two to earn a 3-0 victory and a doubleheader split for the Thomas Jefferson University baseball team against Mansfield University on Sunday at Father Judge High School.
The triumph sealed an overall four-game weekend series win for the Rams over the Mounties. Mansfield took Sunday's opener, 7-5, in 11 innings. On Saturday, Jefferson had 8-5 and 4-1 victories.
GAME ONE – L, 7-5 (11 inn.)
The first game of the afternoon was a back-and-forth affair with five lead changes. The Rams got going early with
Arturo Figueroa notching a RBI single in the opening frame. The Mounties took a 2-1 advantage in the third with a two-out, two-run double.
Zack Austin evened the score for Jefferson in the fourth with a sacrifice fly.
In the fifth, Mansfield, took a 4-2 lead with a two-run homer to right center. However, the Rams responded with a three-run bottom half to go ahead 5-4.
Alex Gonzalez had an infield single with one out and came home on a triple by Figueroa. Santiago followed with a RBI double down the left field line then scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Jefferson could not hold on to the lead though as the Mounties recorded a game-tying single while down to their last out in the seventh. Jefferson came up empty in the bottom half to send the contest into extra innings.
Each team put a runner on in the eighth and ninth innings but could not push a run across. In the 10
th, Mansfield put a runner in scoring position with no outs but the Rams eliminated the lead runner with a fielder's choice and
Matt Bukavich was able to get out of the inning unscathed. It finished up three hitless innings of relief for the right-hander. Jefferson put two runners aboard in the bottom of the frame but could not score the winning run.
The Mounties broke through in the 11
th with more two-out magic, smacking a two-run double to center. Figueroa got on board with a bunt single to lead off the bottom of the 11
th but the next three hitters went down in order to end the game.
Quick Hits
Arturo Figueroa: 3-6, 3B, 2 RBI, R
Efrain Santiago: 1-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R
GAME TWO – W, 3-0
Just like Saturday's nightcap, Sunday's game two produced a pitcher's duel, this time between Jefferson's
Jack Galligan and Mansfield's Eric Gustofson. Neither team was able to get a runner into scoring position until the bottom of the third when Figueroa stole second for the Rams but was stranded there.
In the fifth,
Nick Squazzo stole second and Jefferson was knocking on the door with one out. However, a strikeout and a groundout ended the threat. Galligan continued to look sharp, allowing just one hit and striking out seven. He got some assistance from his defense as well, with Jefferson turning two double plays.
In the bottom of the sixth, Gonzalez hit an infield single with one out. Austin then added a base hit through the left side, putting runners on first and second. After a wild pitch, Santiago belted a go-ahead three-run homer over the fence in right center to give the Rams a 3-0 advantage.
Anthony Pillari relieved Galligan for the seventh and allowed just one baserunner in picking up the save.
Quick Hits
Efrain Santiago: 1-3, HR, 3 RBI
Jack Galligan: Win, 6.0 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 4 BB, 7 K
UP NEXT
The Rams remain at home for another non-conference weekend series, taking on Gannon on March 13-14. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. on both days.
