George Washington University

March 7, 2006

Box Score

ARLINGTON, VA - After giving up three runs in the top of the ninth to surrender a 3-1 lead, George Washington University (4-6) left fielder Charlie Kruer (Old Bridge, NJ / Old Bridge) came through with a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Colonials a dramatic 5-4 victory Tuesday afternoon over the University of Maryland - Baltimore County (4-5) in GW's home opener at Barcroft Park.

Colonials' starter RHP Derrik Lutz (Grantville, PA / Lower Dauphin) was sensational, allowing one run on three hits and tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts in 8.0 innings as he took the no-decision.

Trailing by two runs in the top of the ninth inning, the Retrievers put runners on first and second base with one out to set up a crushing three-run home run from left fielder Joe Fowler (2) to give UMBC a 4-3 advantage. Fowler had entered the game earlier as a pinch hitter.

Andrew Abokhair (Ashburn, VA / Broad Run) led off the bottom of the GW ninth as a pinch hitter and reached first base via a walk. First baseman Tim Reeves (Cumming, GA / North Forsyth) followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and second. After a long fly out, Kruer chopped a double down the first base line that scored pinch runner Bryan Hwang (Northvale, NJ / Northvale) and set up a play at the plate for Reeves who beat the rely throw to score the game-winning run.

The Colonials took a 1-0 second inning lead when senior Matt Owens (Fayetteville, GA / Fayette County) slammed the first pitch of the frame over the right centerfield fence for a home run (1).

Designated hitter Chris Marsicano's (Old Tappan, NJ / Bergen Catholic) RBI single in the sixth inning and shortstop Michael Parker's (Newton, MA / Newton South) RBI sacrifice fly in the seventh gave GW a 3-1 lead.

UMBC starter RHP Sean Rae was effective in his 6.0 innings of work, yielding one earned run and six strikeouts. Reliever Tim Comiskey (0-1) was tagged for three runs in 2.2 innings and took the loss.

RHP Derek Haese (Littleton, CO / UC San Diego / Dakota Ridge) (1-0) came on for the Colonials in the ninth inning and could not hold the lead but did pick up the win.

After dropping six consecutive games, the Colonials have now won three straight.

Next up for GW is George Mason University as the Colonials head to Fairfax, VA, Wednesday to meet the Patriots. Game time is 2:30 PM.

Sophomore RHP Brian Frazier (0-1, 6.30 ERA) gets the nod for the Colonials.

-GW-