MERION STATION, Pa. – Another ninth-inning rally wasn't in the cards for the Saint Joseph's baseball team on Saturday afternoon as the Hawks fell to La Salle, 5-4, at Smithson Field.
Down by a pair in the ninth, the Hawks got back within one on a two-out single by John Brue that brought home Ryan Pater. Deon Stafford then singled to left before Stefan Kancylarz drew a walk to load the bases. The Explorers brought Adam Cherry on to relieve Jordan Meyer, and unfortunately for the Crimson and Gray, second baseman Nico Olvera scooped up a ground ball and his throw beat Charlie Coghlin to first by a step to end the ballgame.
Saint Joseph's (17-23 overall, 7-9 Atlantic 10) had the early momentum, taking a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Matt Maul led off with an infield single and Taylor Boyd drew a walk to bring Brue to the dish; his single to right advanced Boyd to third and scored Maul to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Stafford followed with a single to score Boyd before Kancylarz brought home Brue with a sacrifice fly.
La Salle (21-22-1 overall, 9-8 Atlantic 10) leveled in the third. Cameron Johnson drew a two-out walk before advancing to third on a double by Mark Williams. Joey Ravert followed with a three-run home run to right to tie the game.
The Explorers went right back to work in the fourth, taking the lead on doubles by Ethan Springston and Travis George. La Salle doubled the advantage in the sixth when Springston led off the frame with a single and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly by George.
SJU had an opportunity to score in the seventh, stringing together three hits, but Pater slipped going around third and Boyd was caught up in a rundown trying to retreat to second. The Hawks then got one in the ninth but could not find the equalizer.
Luke Reilly earned the win for La Salle, allowing three runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out six in six innings. He improved to 6-2, while Tyler Pallante fell to 0-3 for the Hawks. He was charged with four runs on five hits, three walks, and two strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings. Cherry retired the only batter he faced for his sixth save.
The teams will play the rubber game of the weekend series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at Smithson Field.
