March 15, 2011
Box Score
TOWSON, Md. - The Marist baseball team won its seventh straight game on Tuesday, as the Red Foxes won at Towson by a score of 8-3. The Red Foxes broke open a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning thanks to a two-run double by senior center fielder Michael Gallic (Tolland, Conn.), which was followed by a three-run homer by sophomore shortstop Zach Shank (Lititz, Pa.).
Senior left-hander Sean McKeown (Hillsborough, N.J.) earned the win to improve to 3-0, thanks to four scoreless innings of relief. McKeown allowed just three hits in his outing while walking none and striking out one.
Senior left fielder Ricky Pacione (Newburgh, N.Y.) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for the Red Foxes. Pacione now has three hits in each of his last three games.
Towson took the early lead with two runs in the bottom of the second, but the Red Foxes cut their deficit in half in the top of the third when junior third baseman Jon Schwind (Hilton, N.Y.) singled to score sophomore right fielder Dan Zlotnick (Katonah, N.Y.), who had led off the inning with a single. However, Towson re-claimed its two-run lead with a run in the bottom half of the third.
The Red Foxes tied the score with two runs in the sixth. Pacione led off the inning with a single, and scored on a double-play groundout to cut Towson's lead to 3-2. Junior designated hitter Eric Helmrich (Yonkers, N.Y.) followed with a single, which drove home Gallic to tie the game at three apiece.
In the seventh, Marist scored all of its runs with two outs. Gallic's double brought home both sophomore first baseman Bryce Nugent (Binghamton, N.Y.), Shank's three-run shot put Marist up 8-3.
After McKeown held Towson with a 1-2-3 seventh, junior right-hander Eric Alessio (Nyack, N.Y.) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
Marist hit into a triple play in the ninth inning - the second triple play the Red Foxes have been involved in over their last 10 games. On Feb. 25, freshman second baseman Nick McQuail (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Orefice turned one in a 5-4 win at UNC Wilmington.
Marist held a 9-8 advantage in hits. For Towson, first baseman Austin Harclerode, left fielder Dominic Fratantuono and catcher Brian Wyman had two hits apiece.
Towson reliever Spencer Patton (0-1) took the loss.
Marist is now 10-3 on the season; Towson fell to 4-10-1.
Marist and Towson will wrap up their two-game series on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.
