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 Charlie Kruer's two-out three-run shot in the ninth inning propelled the Colonials into the A-10 Tournament on the last day of the regular season. |
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Kruer's Heroic Three-Run Home Run in Ninth Lifts Baseball to 5-4 Victory Against Duquesne; Clinchs Bid to A-10 Tournament
May 20, 2006
PITTSBURGH, PA - Trailing 3-2 and down to its last out of the season, Colonials' left fielder Charlie Kruer (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) connected for a dramatic three-run home run (8) in the ninth inning to give George Washington University (22-32, 13-12 A-10) a stunning 5-4 victory over Duquesne University (19-33, 11-14 A-10) and clinch the sixth and final seed in the Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship on the final day of the regular season Saturday afternoon at the Duquesne Baseball Field.
GW will meet third-seeded Dayton in the opening round of the tournament on Wednesday, hosted by Fordham in Bronx, NY.
Trailing by one run in the top of ninth inning, GW's first two batters were retired before shortstop Michael Parker (Newton, MA / Newton South) battled with two strikes to single to right field and right fielder Mickey Shupin (Sea Girt, NJ / Wall) went to two strikes before grounding a ball to deep short that he beat out to for an infield hit to keep the season alive.
Kruer then launched a tremendous opposite field home run to left centerfield to win the game and put the Colonials in the post season.
The Dukes came close to tying the game in the bottom of the ninth when they scored a run off an error and put a runner on second base with one out. But GW reliever Pat Lehman (3-3) clamped down to get the next two batters and finish off DU.
Starter RHP Jeff Naughton (4-2) pitched a tremendous game for the Dukes, throwing 150 pitches before serving up Kruer's home run.
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GW starter LHP Dan Pfau (Flemington, NJ / Hunterdon Central) gave the Colonials perhaps his best performance ever, yielding just two earned runs on two hits in 6.2 innings.
GW began the three-game series one game behind Fordham for the conference tournament's sixth seed and took the final spot as the Rams dropped all three of their games to Charlotte in their final series to fall out of the tournament and end their season.
As a result of Fordham's three losses, DU also entered Saturday needing to win to advance to the post season.
The Colonials took an early 2-0 lead when they loaded the bases in the first inning and second baseman Doug Eizen (Philadelphia, PA / The Haverford School) knocked in a run with a groundout.
In the second inning, first baseman Tim Reeves (Cumming, GA / North Forsyth) drilled an opposite field RBI double to left field to put GW ahead 2-0.
The Dukes scored three unanswered runs by scoring one run in the third, fourth and fifth innings to take a 3-2 lead.
DU shortstop Steve Maiolo walked, advance to second base on a wild pitch and scored on back-to-back ground outs to make it 2-1.
In the fourth inning, Dukes' first baseman Derek Mechling drew a one-out walk, advanced to third base on a long single to right centerfield from designated hitter Mike Carroll and scored on a fielder's choice groundout to tie the game, 2-2.
Third baseman Anthony Manley was issued a one out walk in the fifth inning, moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt and scored after wild pitch drew an errant throw to third base that allowed Manley to trot home and give DU a 3-2 advantage.
GW finished its regular season by winning four of its final six A-10 games to earn a trip to its eighth consecutive conference tournament.
The Colonials will meet the Flyers on Wednesday, May 24, at 3:30 p.m.
- GW -
