TOWSON, Md. – Towson University senior Colin Dyer tied the game with a double to left center and then scored the game-winning run on a passed ball as the Tigers completed an improbable comeback with an 11-10 victory over Elon Friday afternoon in the opening game of a three-game CAA series at Schuerholz Park.
 
How it Happened

• The Tigers (14-17, 3-4 CAA) entered the ninth inning trailing 10-8.  On the second pitch of the inning, Colin Gimblet delivered a solo blast to left center for his third home run of the season.
• With one out, Trey Martinez blooped a single into right field and was replaced by pinch runner Jay Sanford.
• After a strikeout, Colin Dyer ripped a double into the gap in left center to score the hustling Sanford from first.
• Dyer was not done yet as he took advantage of the catcher arguing the close play at home to advance to third base.
• That proved to be the difference as the ball got passed the catcher and Dyer scored the game-winning run on the passed ball.
• The comeback marked the first time since March 5, 2016 that the Tigers won a game when trailing going into the ninth inning.  It also marked the first time since 2015 the Phoenix lost when taking a lead into the ninth.
• After falling behind 10-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers began their comeback with a Dyer single to start the inning.  Andrew Cassard scored Dyer with a double down the right-field line.
• Two batters later, Billy Lennox grounded out to second to score Cassard.
• Towson came back in the eighth with an A.J. Gallo leadoff double to left center.  After two outs, Dyer walked and Cassard followed with an RBI single through the left side.
• Richie Palacios was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for Lennox to deliver a two-run single up the middle.
• Things did not start off great for the Tigers as Elon (16-19, 6-4 CAA) got hits from each of their first six hitters of the game to take a 6-0 lead after the top of the first inning.
• The Phoenix would get a two-run homer from Will Nance in the second to extend the lead to 8-0.
• The Tigers put up a three-spot in the ethird inning as Cassard and Palacios singled ahead of a Lennox two-run double to left field.
• Starter Dean Stramara would settle down after a shaky first two innings of work to allow just three more hits over the next four innings.
• Bo Plagge came out of the bullpen and picked up where Stramara left off, giving up just one hit over two innings.
• David Marriggi (4-1) picked up the victory after surrendering a hit and striking out one in his one inning of work.
• Ryan Conroy (4-3) took the loss after allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits in one inning of work.
• The top of the Tigers offense came through in a big way as the top three hitters combined for seven hits, seven RBIs and five runs scored.
• Cassard collected three hits, drove in two runs and score three times.  Palacios added two hits, while Lennox drove in a career-high five runs with a pair of hits.
• Gallo added three base hits out of the six hole, while Gimblet drove in a pair.
• Dyer, who drove in the tieing run and scored the winning run, finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored.

 
Up Next
The Tigers and Phoenix play the middle game of the three-game series Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.  The game will be the annual Military Appreciation Game with former Tiger and current Marine Corps First Lieutenant Brady Baxter throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.