HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Although the Tigers (6-16-1, 2-6) outhit Hofstra University (4-13, 4-4) by a 7-5 margin, five Hofstra pitchers teamed up to limit the Tigers to one run as the Pride edged Towson for the second game in a row, handing the Tigers a 3-1 Colonial Athletic Association loss in the second game of their three-game series at chilly University Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers, who have scored only five runs in their last four games, stranded ten base runners and had only one hit in 11 at bats with runners in scoring position.
"We are really in an offensive funk right now," says Towson Coach Mike Gottlieb. "I think we have a lot of guys who are pressing and we're all frustrated. I keep expecting us to break out every game."
In the second inning, the Tigers took a 1-0 lead but they missed a great chance to add more runs. Sophomore catcher Andrew Parker led off the inning by reaching base when he was hit by a pitch. Senior first baseman Austin Harclerode lined a single to left, giving the Tigers two runners on base with no outs. After junior centerfielder Ben Winter bunted the runners into scoring position, senior rightfielder Steve Rice drew a walk to load the bases.
Freshman leftfielder Dominic Fratantuono gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead when he singled to centerfield, scoring Parker and leaving the bases loaded. However, senior righthander Sean Monaghan pitched his way out of the jam. After getting freshman designated hitter Hunter Bennett to ground into a force play at home plate, he struck out senior shortstop Nick Natoli on three pitches, ending the threat.
In the bottom of the second inning, Hofstra came right back to take a lead. With one out, sophomore first baseman Jared Hammer singled to rightfield. When sophomore righthander walked freshman designated hitter Bryan Verbitsky, Hofstra had two runners on base with one out. A single by sophomore shortstop Matt Ford loaded the bases for junior rightfielder T.J. Thomas. Thomas drilled a bases-clearing double to left centerfield, giving Hofstra a 3-1 lead. Trailing 3-1, Trionfo retired the next two hitters to end the threat.Michael Trionfo
In the third inning, freshman righthander Brett Schreiber relieved Monaghan. With one out, he gave up an infield single to senior third baseman Chris Wychock, the 200th base hit of Wychock's career. However, he retired the next two hitters to pitch out of the jam.
Wychock became the 15th player in Towson history with 200 career hits.
The Tigers had another scoring chance in the fourth inning when Rice doubled with one out. But, Schreiber retired the next two hitters to preserve the 3-1 lead.
In the fifth inning, sophomore righthander Cody Normand relieved Schreiber and retired the Tigers in order.
Coach Gottlieb also went to the bullpen in the bottom of the fifth. He brought senior righthander Zach Umberger to relieve Trionfo. Umberger retired Hofstra in order.
The Tigers squandered another scoring opportunity in the sixth inning when Parker led off with a double. But, Normand retired the next three hitters to escape the jam.
Freshman righthander Everett Keller, Hofstra's fourth pitcher of the game, came on to pitch the seventh inning. Fratantuono greeted him with a single to right centerfield. After Bennett bunted him into scoring position, Natoli grounded out to shortstop. A walk to freshman second baseman Pat Fitzgerald gave the Tigers two base runners with two outs. Keller pitched out of the jam when he got Wychock to ground into a force play.
Verbitsky came on to pitch the eighth inning for Hofstra and retired the Tigers in order for only the third time in the game.
The Pride tried to increase their lead in the eighth inning. Junior catcher Dylan Nasiatka led off the inning with an infield hit. After junior centerfielder Danny Poma bunted him over to second base, junior third baseman Joe Perez was intentionally walked. The strategy worked to perfection when Hammer hit a ground ball to Natoli, who started an inning-ending double play. It was Towson's third double play of the game.
In the ninth inning, the Tigers tried to stage a game-tying rally. After Rice grounded out, Fratantuono drew a walk. Pinch hitter Brian Wyman popped up for the second out of the inning. Natoli kept the inning alive with a bunt single to third base. However, Verbitsky nailed down the first save of his career when he got Fitzgerald to line out to first base, ending the game.
The five Hofstra pitchers combined to hold Towson to one run on seven hits. They walked three and struck out five. Schreiber, who pitched two shutout innings, earned the first victory of his career.
Trionfo, who dropped to 0-4, gave up three runs on three hits in four innings of work. He walked three and struck out none. Umberger turned in another impressive outing as he pitched four shutout innings. He gave up only two hits while walking two with two strikeouts.
Hammer had two of Hofstra's five base hits. Thomas, who had a double and triple in Friday's 5-4 win, drove in all three runs with his second inning double. His double was Hofstra's only second extra-base hit of the game.
Fratantuono was the Tigers' top offensive player. He had two hits, walked once and drove in a run.
The Tigers, who have lost four games in a row, will try to get back on the winning track on Sunday afternoon in the series finale against Hofstra at 1:00 p.m. Senior righthander Charlie Cononie will pitch for the Tigers.
