BOX SCORE

The Newport News Apprentice School scored a run in the bottom of the 7th to tie the game, then added a run in the 8th to defeat the Bearcats by a score of 4-3 to wrap up the Builder Invitational in Hampton, VA.

SVC freshman Mike Cramer kept the Builders off balance throughout the early innings with a good mix of fastballs and off-speed pitches.  

The Bearcats got on the board in the top of the third, when Luke Fox reached on an infield single to start the inning, then moved to second on a groundout by Vince Murphy.  Chris Winkler then singled to right, and Fox used his speed to score on the play.

Cramer continued to shut down the Builders, which had entered the game with a 16-8 record, and the SVC offense added another run in the top of the fifth.  Murphy reached on an infield single to lead off, then advanced on a groundout by Winkler.  A passed ball allowed Murphy to take third, and with two outs, Greg Martin hit a long double deep into the gap in right center, scoring Murphy to make the score 2-0.

In the home half of the sixth, the Apprentice School touched up Cramer for two runs on three hits to tie the game, 2-2.

SVC fought right back in the top of the 7th, as Martin walked with one out, chasing starter Chris Perry.  Pinch-runner Joey Fearer then moved up on a walk issued to TJ Kuny.  Collin Laguzza singled to right, and Fearer was waved around third.  While the throw appeared to beat Fearer to the plate, the Bearcat runner's headfirst slide jarred the ball loose, giving SVC a 3-2 advantage.

However, in the bottom of the 7th, the Builders loaded the bases with one out against Cramer, and Chris Storm was brought out of the bullpen.  Storm managed to get the ground ball the Bearcats were looking for, but the slow roller resulted only in a fielder's choice, erasing a runner at second, but allowing the tying run to score.  Storm then got out of the inning, sending to the 8th as a 3-3 tie.

After the Bearcats went down in order in the top of the 8th to reliever Taylor Gomer, the hosts got a one-out single in the bottom of the inning. After another single put runners at first and second, Dustin Welsh came on in relief for the Bearcats.  Kuny then made a diving stop to snare a line drive for the second out, but Mark Labrador poked a single into shallow right field.  The lead runner headed home, and Tanner Master's throw one-hopped catcher Laguzza.  The ball skipped off the end of his glove and the runner scored, giving the Builders their first lead of the game.

Gomer (4-1) then set SVC down in order in the 9th to earn the win.

Cramer worked a strong 6 1/3 innings, striking out four.  Storm (0-2) took the loss for the Bearcats, which have now lost six in a row.  Offensively, Winkler and Kuny each had two hits on the afternoon.  Kuny reached base all four times at the plate, with a single, a double and a pair of walks.  

Saint Vincent is slated to open the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, facing Mount Aloysius.