Devils let one slip away

Steve Zaprowski threw a scoreless inning and had a hit and a walk at the plate.

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Up 5-4 with two outs and an 0-2 count in the top of the ninth, the Fredonia baseball team couldn't hold on in a 6-5, 11-inning loss to Mercyhurst at Ludwig Field on Tuesday. Mercyhurst, ranked No. 22 in Division II, had won 14 of its last 15 entering the game. The Devils were coming off a three-game sweep of Plattsburgh.

With an 0-2 count, the Laker's Chris Gonzalez flipped a single into shallow right field. The next batter, Hank Morrison, was also down 0-2. Two pitches later, he doubled to tie the game.

The Devils had a chance to win the game in the 10th. With two out and Dan Cecilia on first
following a single, Patrick Sheehan singled to right as Cecilia went first to third. The right fielder bobbled the ball, and Sheehan took off for second, but was thrown out to end the inning.

Mercyhurst would later score in the top of the 11th to secure the win. They used a leadoff walk and a stolen base to start the inning. Following a strikeout, an infield throwing error led to the first run. An intentional walk followed by a double play ended the inning. The Devils were unable to muster a run in the bottom of the inning.

The Fredonia offense was paced Joshua Crocetti with three hits and James Krolikowski with a pair of singles. Crocetti also drove in a pair of runs.

The Devils used nine different pitchers in what was a tune up for the SUNYAC Tournament this weekend. Zach Lyman, Steve Zaprowski, Bailey Gauthier and Ben Atkinson each tossed a scoreless frame. Matt Wilhelm entered the game in eighth with two on and no outs when the Devils led 5-3. He allowed only one inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly. He would work three innings allowing one run and striking out three in a no decision.

Josh Koepsell (1-2) threw the 11th inning and took the loss.

Hank Morrison hit a two-run homerun in the first inning for the Lakers. He also added a double and was walked three times. Matt Keating, the third Laker pitcher of the game, was credited with his first win of the season, going three innings allowing two hits and no runs. Jake Hall picked up his third save with a 1-2-3 11th.

Mercyhurst improves to 38-10.

Fredonia now stands at 20-19. They travel to Cortland this weekend to take on the No.1 ranked team in Division III in the opening round of the SUNYAC Tournament.