MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Joel Keefe knocked in two runs in the eighth inning to cap a 10-run rally that carried the Barry Buccaneers over the Southern Connecticut State Owls 14-11 at Feinbloom Field on Tuesday night.
The Bucs (17-9) trailed 11-4 heading to the bottom of the eighth inning, but scored a season-high 10 runs in the inning to knock out the Owls (9-7). Andrew Frezza led off with a single and came around on a home run from John Servidio, which knocked out Owls’ starter Edward Bethke. Toby Nylin came on in relief and loaded the bases on a hit batter, a walk and single from Carlos Gomez. Chris Leon delivered an RBI single to drive in Keefe. Gomez scored on a fielder’s choice by Brett Rossi to cut the lead to 11-8. Nick Shaw delivered a two-run double to plate Yudelmis Hernandez and Rossi to cut the lead to one. Josh Depew (0-1) came in to relieve Nylin and issued a walk to Mitch Rodriguez. Frezza then knocked in Shaw to tie the game with a double to left. After an intentional walk to Servidio, Keefe poked a single through the left side to put the Bucs up 13-11. Evan Ashley, who came in to run for Keefe, eventually came around on an error by shortstop Mike Diaz to make the final 14-11.
The Owls built a 9-2 lead after three innings off Barry starter Bobby Riley. Diaz capped a six-run third inning with a three-run homer off reliever Brian Mastin.
The Owls went up 11-2 after the top of the sixth before the Bucs started their comeback. Rodriguez and Yudelmis Hernandez hit solo homers in the sixth and seventh respectively before the big 10-run eighth.
Bobby Hernandez (2-0) came in to pitch the final three innings for the Buccaneers and picked up the win. He allowed just two hits and struck out seven.
Depew was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.
Frezza, Servidio and Keefe all rapped out three hits, while Servidio and Keefe each had three RBI. Shaw had a pair of doubles and scored twice, as did Rossi, Frezza, Yudelmis Hernandez and Servidio.
Diaz led the Owls with two hits and five RBI, while Chris Barile had a pair of hits and three RBI.
The Bucs will host the Riverhawks of UMass-Lowell on Thursday, Mar. 20 at 6:00 pm.
(03/18/2008 at Miami Shores, Fla.)
Barry 14, So. Connecticut St. 11
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So. Connecticut St... 036 002 00 0 - 11 11 1 (9-7)
Barry.......................... 200 001 1(10)X - 14 17 2 (17-9)
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Pitchers: So. Connecticut St. - Edward Bethke; Toby Nylin(8); Josh Depew(8). Barry -
Bobby Riley; Brian Mastin(3); Bobby Hernandez(7).
Win-Bobby Hernandez(2-0) Loss-Josh Depew(0-1) T-3:00 A-176
HR SCSU - Mike Diaz (1).
HR BUB - Mitch Rodriguez (3); John Servidio (10); Yudelmis Hernandez (2).
Weather: drafty
Bethke faced 2 batters in the 8th.