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 RF Mickey Shupin's two-run single delivered GW's game-winning runs on Friday. |
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Mickey Shupin's 2-Run Single Lifts GW Baseball Over La Salle, 5-4
April 28, 2006
ARLINGTON, VA - Right fielder Mickey Shupin's (Sea Girt, NJ / Wall) bases loaded single in the seventh inning knocked in two runs and brought George Washington University (16-25, 7-7 A-10) from a 4-3 deficit to a 5-4 Atlantic 10 Conference victory over La Salle University (14-26, 6-10 A-10) Friday evening at Barcroft Park.
The win was GW's 18th consecutive victory over the Explores dating back to 2000.
Trailing 4-3 in the seventh, the Colonials packed the bases with nobody out on two walks and a key Explorers' error to set up Shupin's two-run single.
RHP Derrik Lutz (4-2) started for GW and recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts as the junior yielded four runs, one earned, on four hits in 8.0 innings to earn his fourth win in as many starts.
Lutz's previous career-best in strikeouts was two starts ago when he fanned 12 St. Bonaventure hitters on April 13.
La Salle starter RHP Dennis Burge allowed three earned runs on five hits in 5.1 innings before turning things over to reliever RHP John Reifsnyder (2-3) who was tagged with loss after surrendering GW's two unearned runs in the seventh inning.
The Colonials took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning when designated hitter Chris Marsicano (Old Tappan, NJ / Bergen Catholic) doubled home a run and second baseman Doug Eizen (Philadelphia, PA / The Haverford School) followed with a two-run single.
Marsicano collected two doubles, overall, while Shupin went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI and catcher Andrew Abokhair (Ashburn, VA / Broad Run) went 3-for-4 with a run scored.
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The Explorers came roaring back in the top of the fifth inning with three runs of their own. Two GW errors and a two-run double from catcher Rich Prall helped La Salle retake the lead, 4-3.
A potential Explorers' ninth inning rally was controversially extinguished when, with a runner on first base and one out, pinch hitter Kenny Elkind struck out and then interfered with Abokhair's attempt to throw out pinch runner Steve Cook, who was attempting to steal.
The home plate umpire ruled that Elkind had interfered on the play and sent Cook back to first base. After much dispute from both teams, Colonials' head coach Steve Mrowka issued an official order that GW will play the remainder of the game under protest. However, La Salle's next batter, centerfielder Billy Kern, flied out to centerfield to end the game.
LHP Dan Pfau (Flemington, NJ / Hunterdon Central) came on with one out in the ninth inning and retired both batters he faced to earn the save (3).
Game two of the three game series is scheduled for Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
The Colonials will send RHP Josh Wilkie (3-3, 2.88) to the hill.
- GW -
