George Washington University

March 27, 2005

Box Score

ARLINGTON, VA - Leading 5-2 after five innings, the George Washington University baseball team (13-10, 1-2 A-10) suffered a meltdown as the University of Rhode Island (5-10, 2-1 A-10) scored four time in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh to defeat the Colonials 8-6 and take two-of-three Atlantic 10 games this weekend at Barcroft Park.

The Rams used four singles, a walk, an error and a crazy rundown play that resulted in a fielder's choice to push across four runs in the top of the sixth inning and take a 6-5 lead.

GW catcher Joe Michalski's (Ellicott City, MD / Mt. Hebron) one out solo home run (6) in the bottom of the sixth tied the game 6-6.

But the Colonials' defense gave the game away for good in the top of the seventh inning when a lead off error was followed by a wild pitch, another crazy rundown play resulting in a fielder's choice, a second wild pitch, an RBI single and an RBI fielder's choice scored two more runs for URI and handed the contest to the Rams 8-6.

GW took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when right fielder Brad Rosenblat (New Orleans, LA / Newman / Tulane) led-off the inning with a double and came around to score on a fielder's choice. First baseman Ryan Roberson (Silver Spring, MD / James H. Blake) followed with a monster solo home run (7).

The Colonials made it 3-0 in the third when Roberson doubled home Rosenblat. For the series, Roberson went 4-for-9 with two homers, two doubles and six RBIs.

The Rams trimmed GW's lead to 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning when singles from catcher Josh Nestor and second baseman Wayne Russo, along with a throwing error and an RBI fielder's choice, got URI on the board. The Colonials committed five errors in the contest which lead to two unearned runs.

GW opened up its 5-2 advantage in the bottom of the fourth after a double steal scored centerfielder Matt Owens (Fayetteville, GA / Fayette County) from third base and Michalski's fielder's choice produced a run.

LHP Avi Rasowsky (Glenmont, NY / Bethlehem Central) started for the Colonials and struck out four and gave up four earned runs in five innings. RHP Joel Brookens (Fayetteville, PA / Gettysburg Area) (0-1) surrendered the go ahead run for URI and took the loss.

The Rams' RHP Tom Venedam (1-0) was solid in his three innings of relief, striking out three and giving up a run and two hits as he took the win. RHP Mick Lefort retired the side in the ninth to pick up the save (4).

GW will play a make up game Tuesday against the University of Delaware at Barcroft Park before facing the University of Maryland Baltimore County at home on Wednesday. Both games will get underway at 3:00 PM.

A game scheduled against Mount St. Mary's on Thursday, March 31st, has been cancelled.

The Colonials' next conference series is this weekend at Temple University.

- GW -