Click here to view boxscore
FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- The Rock scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Sunday afternoon to claim a 5-3 win over regional rival Mansfield at the Bob Gladwin Baseball Complex.
The win, which came a day after SRU had lost both ends of doubleheader vs. Northwood (Mich.), gave the Green and White a 4-2 overall record and a 3-0 mark vs. NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional rivals.
The loss was the second of the day for Mansfield, which dropped an 8-6 decision to Northwood immediately preceding its game vs. SRU. The Mounties now own a 3-2 record this spring.
Senior first baseman
Scott Hugney led The Rock's winning effort vs. Mansfield as he was 3-for-4, including a game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning.
Senior designated hitter
Matt Messer was 2-for-3 and was the only other Rock player to collect more than one hit.
Junior third baseman
Billy Herman and junior shortstop
Rich Michalek each picked up an RBI.
Freshman southpaw
Brett Vescovi was the winning pitcher in relief of starter
Justin Dickert.
Vescovi allowed one hit and struck out one in the final two and two-thirds innings after Dickert yielded three earned runs on seven hits, struck out two and walked five in the first six and one-third frames.
The Rock took a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as they manufactured a tally from a leadoff walk by Michalek, a ground out, a stolen base and an RBI single by Herman.
Mansfield took advantage of a pair of bases on balls from Dickert to score a run in the top of the fourth inning to tie the score at 1-1.
SRU came right back to score a run in the bottom of the fourth, though, as Hugney singled and Michalek stroked an RBI double to right field.
Mansfield, on the strength of three hits and a Rock throwing error, scored two runs in the top of the seventh to take a 3-2 lead.
The Rock then won the game with three tallies in the bottom of the eighth. The Green and White were helped along by two dropped third strikes that Mansfield misplayed into Rock runners on base and two wild pitches, but also got a crucial sacrifice bunt from senior center fielder #M.J. Parsons
and timely singles by junior right fielder Scott Bender# and Hugney.
SRU travels to two-time defending Division II national champion Tampa for a 7 p.m. single game Monday before having a day off Tuesday. The Rock will then play regional rival Pitt-Johnstown in a 10 a.m. twinbill Wednesday and meet Mansfield in a 12:30 p.m. single game Thursday.
The Green and White continue their annual spring trip to Florida with a 4 p.m. doubleheader Friday vs. Nyack College before winding up the trip with an 8:45 a.m. single game next Saturday vs. Post University.