Washington, D.C. – Third baseman Keith Campbell scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning as Catholic University scored twice for a 5-4 victory over Montclair State at Talbot Field on Sunday afternoon.
Righthander Jack Ropelewski pitched out a jam in the ninth inning as the Cardinals (2-2) were able to salvage a game in its three-game weekend series with the Red Hawks (2-1). Senior shortstop HAYDEN REYES collected three hits for MSU.
Each team put a run up on the board in the first inning. JOE NORTON led off the game with a double and went to third on a flyout before scampering home on a wild pitch for a 1-0 MSU lead. Catholic answered right back in its half as Connor Sullivan doubled and scored on an RBI double by Michael Doody knotting the game.
The Red Hawks regained the lead in the fifth inning with three runs taking advantage of two Catholic errors. JASON MOORE scored on a misplayed grounder putting MSU back in front, and Reyes crossed the plate on another for a 3-1 lead. MICHAEL SCHWEYHER was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded tacking on the final run.
Catholic cut the lead to one scoring twice in the sixth before putting together its go-ahead rally in the eighth. Sullivan doubled to open the inning and came home on Cid Porter's double tying the contest at 4-4. The Cardinals would put runners at first and third with two outs. Reliever CHRIS LUM uncorked a wild pitch allowed Campbell to come home, making the score 5-4.
MSU would threaten in the ninth as Myles Feaster and PETER COSENTINO each got on to begin the inning. A ground out moved both into scoring position however Ropelewski kept them there, striking out the next two hitters to preserve the victory.
Ropelewski got the victory in relief as he allowed a hit with five strikeouts over the final two innings. BEN LEVINE (0-1) took the loss for the Red Hawks.
Montclair is out of action until next Friday, February 28, when it heads south again for a four-game set at Ferrum College. The Red Hawks will play single games on Friday and Sunday, March 1 with a doubleheader slated for Saturday, February 29.
