Feb. 28, 2004

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Marist batted around in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring 10 runs, as the Red Foxes defeated UNC Wilmington, 11-9, at the Hughes Bros. Baseball Challenge Saturday at Brooks Field. Marist is also scheduled to play West Virginia on the first day of the rain-shortened tournament.

Marist moved to 1-3 on the season while the Seahawks dropped their sixth-in-a-row to start the season. UNCW's 0-6 start is the worst in school history.

Catcher Jim Board and Eric Johnson led the Red Foxes 15-hit attack with three hits apiece. Board drove in three runs. Justin LePore and Tyler Brock both homered and drove in two runs. Travis Timmons earned the win, despite allowing four runs on three hits in one inning on the mound. Robert Ryan picked up his first save of the year tossing 2.1 innings of two-hit ball.

Senior shortstop Aaron Smith went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three runs batted in. Sophomore Matt Sutton, freshman second baseman Kenny Smith and sophomore third baseman Matt Poulk each collected three hits for UNCW. Senior centerfielder Chip Grawey scored twice and stole three bases. Senior Blake Cross (0-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks over one plus innings of work.

Seahawk starter Zach Kimball received a no-decision after striking out six and allowing three runs over 5.1 innings.

Trailing 5-1 entering the sixth, Marist plated four runs to tie the game at 5-all. Board singled to lead off the inning and LePore followed with his first round tripper of the season. Following an out, Brock then homered to move the Red Foxes to within 5-4. Marist tied the game on Thomas Ciccarone's single to right with two-out.

Marist jumped on top with six in the seventh on four hits and four walks. UNCW then scored four in the bottom of the seventh. Smith's second homer of the day capped the outburst.

The Red Foxes and Seahawks will meet Sunday at 1 p.m. in Game No. 3 of the Hughes Bros. Challenge.