Tribe Wins Doubleheader and Sweeps Hofstra

03/09/08 5:30PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The William and Mary baseball team earned a series sweep against Hofstra by taking both games of a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Plumeri Park. W&M (11-3, 4-2) claimed the first game, 2-0, before closing out the series with a 7-6 triumph.

Junior Mike Sheridan provided the offensive firepower in the first game, going 3-for-3 with a two-run home run, while classmate Ben Guez went 2-for-3 with a run scored. In the second contest, Sheridan extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a 2-for-2 effort. Junior Tyler Stampone also played well in the 7-6 win, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Sophomore LHP Tyler Truxell (2-0) worked 5.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in the opening contest, while senior LHP Sean Grieve (1-0) recorded 2.0 innings of scoreless work in relief to get the victory in game two. Junior RHP Jeremy Neustifter closed out both games and now has three saves this season.

After neither team was able to put any runs across through the first five and a half innings of the initial game, the Tribe got on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. The two runs proved to be the only scored by either team in the seven-inning opening game. Guez registered a two-out single through the left side and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sheridan then blasted a two-run home run to right off a 1-0 offering.

Hofstra got on the scoreboard first in the second game with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Chris Mentrasti led off with a single to right, and Dion Pouncil then reached on an error by shortstop Lanny Stanfield. After Anthony Sarno reached on an error by Guez to load the bases, Mentrasti scored when Elliot Hagburg grounded into a double play. Matt Kougasian followed with a RBI single through the right side to plate the second run.

HU added a run in the second inning to go ahead, 3-0. Tom Legregni drew a walk to begin the frame, and John Kenny followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Dave Cole then plated Legregni when he hit into a fielder’s choice.

The Tribe tallied its first run in the bottom of the fourth. Sheridan took first when he was hit by a pitch and moved into scoring position with a stolen base. Junior Rob Nickle later drove him in with a two-out single to left.

W&M scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 4-3 lead. Guez got things started with a single to center, and Sheridan then drew a walk to put two runners aboard. Senior Tim Park followed with a RBI double to right center, and senior Greg Maliniak tied the game with a RBI single to left. Park later scored when Nickle flew out to right and Kenny’s throw back into the infield got away.

The College extended its advantage to 7-3 with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore Chris Jensen led off the inning with a walk, and junior James Williamson followed with a bunt single. After junior RHP Rob DiFalco entered the game in relief, Stampone reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Guez then flew out to right, and a number of Tribe base runners were caught in rundowns. However, Hagburg’s throw to first sailed into right field and two runs came across. Sheridan then plated the inning’s third run with a single through the right side.

With senior RHP Pat Kantakevich on the mound in relief, Hofstra got a run back in the eighth. Hagburg led off the inning with a double to center, and Kougasian followed with a walk to put two runners aboard. Kenny later drew a two-out walk to load the bases, and Cole walked to bring in Hagburg.

Hofstra tallied two more runs in the top of the ninth but was unable to draw even with the Tribe. Pouncil led off the frame with a single to right and later advanced to third when Hagburg recorded a one-out single. After Neustifter entered the game in relief, Pouncil scored on a wild pitch. Kougasian then registered a RBI single to left center. After Prokopowicz flew out to left, Legregni singled to center to put the go-ahead run on base. However, Kenny flew out to left to end the contest.

The Tribe will return to action when it hosts Richmond at Plumeri Park on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score