April 19, 2004

Mansfield, Pa. - The Rock and hosting Mansfield mixed some metaphors Monday afternoon during their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference interdivisional doubleheader at Shaute Field.

The final scores were football-like: The Rock (27-19) won a 13-11 decision and Mansfield (25-17) reigned in an 18-12 decision.

But it must be noted that, to borrow a phrase from track and field terminology, the scores were wind-aided.

Winds estimated at 40 miles per hour influenced the outcomes of the games as a total of 14 home runs were hit during the two games, eight by the hosts and six by The Rock.

The blasts played a major role in the teams combining for 54 runs and 69 hits in the two games.

The Rock attack was led by senior right fielder Jason Curry, who was 5-for-8 with seven RBIs, four runs scored and two home runs.

Junior first baseman Billy Wolfe was also 5-for-8 and finished the day with six RBIs, four runs scored, one double and one home run.

Like Curry, Senior shortstop Nathan Statzer smacked a pair of home runs for SRU. Statzer was 6-for-9 on the day with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Senior catcher/DH Joe Pascarella hit one home run and finished the day 5-for-9 with four RBIs and a double.

Senior left fielder Ben Marzullo also smacked a round-tripper; he finished the day 4-for-8 with three RBIs.

Senior center fielder Matt Kozusko was 5-of-9 in the twinbill.

The Rock had 21 hits in the first game and 15 in the nightcap, while Mansfield recorded 17 and 16 in the respective games.

Sophomore right-hander Adam Ritts (3-2) was the beneficiary of a five-run Rock rally in the top of the seventh inning and picked up the first-game win in relief of redshirt freshman starter Colin Scott.

Junior right-hander Nick Armstrong (2-3) was The Rock's starting pitcher and was tagged with the second-game loss.

The Rock returns to action on Friday when it will travel to Indiana U. of Pa. for a 1 p.m. PSAC-Western Division doubleheader. The same two teams meet at Jack Critchfield Park in Slippery Rock in a 4 p.m. twinbill on Saturday.

The most important part of Monday's doubleheader was that the split kept alive The Rock's hopes for a berth in the NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional tournament. The Rock is the defending regional champion.