March 4, 2010

Tiger bats quieted in 5-1 loss at Hutchinson

Getting more than one hit in an inning only once in its game at Hutchinson on Wednesday, the No. 18-ranked Cowley College baseball team lost by a score of 5-1.

After averaging 11 runs per game in its first four contests, the Tigers have scored only four runs in its past three games.

On Wednesday, Cowley took a 1-0 lead on a solo home run by sophomore Ronnie Melendez leading off the third inning. Later in the inning, Cowley would get a one-out walk by Matt Hillis and a single by Aaron Rea to put runners at first and third. However, Hutchinson pitcher David Tullos avoided further damage by getting Derik Grimes to ground into an inning ending double play.

The Tigers would stay on top until the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners at first and third and one out, the Blue Dragons attempted a double steal. Luke Acosta was thrown out at second base, but Andrew Dixon stole home to tie the score at 1-1.

The Blue Dragons grabbed the lead in the sixth inning as catcher Dan Klein laid down a safety squeeze scoring Mace Krol from third base. Chase Loudenback would add a two-run double to cap the three-run sixth inning off Tiger reliever Phillip Wilson (0-1).

Hutchinson would add a run in the sixth on a throwing error by catcher Ruben Marrero. Tullos picked up his first win of the season by allowing six hits and one run in six innings pitched. Cody Lillich followed with two perfect innings of relief, and Morgan Cirbo pitched a scoreless ninth.

Aaron Rea had two of Cowley’s seven hits in the game. Zach Cargill started on the mound for Cowley and did not allow a run in his one inning of work. Stephen Spirlock followed with two scoreless innings of relief, while Drew Rainey was charged with one run in his two innings of work. Wilson allowed three runs while pitching the sixth and seventh innings, and Andrew Polly pitched a scoreless eighth.

Cowley has now dropped three games in a row to fall to 3-4 on the season. The Tigers will play a single, nine inning game at Northern College Tonkawa today at 1 p.m. Cowley will then return home to play a doubleheader against Maplewoods Saturday at 1 p.m.