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The Bearcats lost a close contest to Franklin College of Indiana by a score of 5-4, with the Grizzlies breaking a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the 8th.
After rain forced a 4-hour delay in the game's start time,
Erik Fichter took to the mound for SVC for what turned out to be a pitcher's duel against Shawn Mattingly of Franklin.
Neither team was able to score through the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, the Grizzlies had a pair of hits and managed to score their first run on a single, then a delayed double steal brought home another run to make it 2-0.
Their lead wouldn't hold, as SVC came right back in the top of the fifth. With two out,
Joe Aul singled to right. On a designed hit-and-run play,
Brad Burkardt doubled home Aul to cut the lead in half. The next batter,
Zack Galasso, singled home Burkardt to tie the game.
The Grizzlies came right back in their half of the fifth with three doubles that led to two more runs, making the score 4-2. Once again, the Bearcats managed to tie the game.
In the top of the 7th,
Zach Bush and
Joey Fearer each singled, then advanced an extra base after an attempt to pick the fleet-footed Bush off of second base resulted in an error.
Sean Stiffey then singled home Bush, while Fearer scored on a ground out by Aul, making the score 4-4.
Matt Tyson, who pitched well in relief of Fichter, gave up an infield single to lead off the bottom of the 8th. The runner moved to second on a sacrifice, then over to third on a ground out. With two outs, Franklin's Travis Lee hit what would prove to be the game-winning single.
Tyson worked 2.2 innings to take the loss, while Mattingly went the distance for the victory for the Grizzlies.
Jack Shaffer led the SVC offense with a pair of doubles, while
Joe Aul had a pair of hits (single, double) as well.
Both teams are now 2-2.
Saint Vincent returns to action on Wednesday morning against Hanover College (IN). The game will be broadcast live on the Saint Vincent Sports Network beginning at 11:30.
