Tigers lose two out of three against rival James Madison
By: Jill Gattens, Staff Writer
Towson dropped two out of three games to Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival James Madison this weekend at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
In Sunday’s series finale, redshirt sophomore outfielder Mark Grunberg led off the game with a solo home run to give the Tigers (17-29, 5-13 CAA) an early 1-0 lead. However, the Dukes (21-22, 5-13 CAA) responded in the bottom half of the inning with two RBI singles to take a 3-1 lead.
In the third inning, the Dukes extended their lead to 5-1, scoring on two passed balls. Later in the game, the Dukes took a 7-3 lead, scoring on an RBI double and single.
Towson attempted to rally in the top of the ninth when Grunberg scored on a wild pitch to keep the inning alive.
Later in the inning, redshirt senior outfielder A.J. Gallo singled up the middle to score redshirt junior outfielder Colin Gimblet and sophomore infielder Richie Palacios.
However, James Madison recorded the 27th out of the ballgame and Towson dropped the series finale 7-6.
“We had many opportunities to get a key hit and we never did,” Head Coach Mike Gottlieb said.
Junior pitcher David Marriggi fell to 4-4 on the season. He allowed five runs, three of which were earned. He also struck out six batters through four innings of work.
In Saturday’s game, Gimblet got the Tigers on the board in the first inning when he scored Grunberg on an RBI single to right to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
However, the Dukes responded in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff home run to tie the game 1-1.
Towson regained the lead in the top of the second when redshirt senior outfielder Colin Dyer homered to give the team a 2-1 lead, but the Dukes used a three-run fourth inning and continued to extend their lead throughout the rest of the game to record a 7-4 victory over the Tigers.
“We had numerous opportunities to tie it up or make a difference,” Gottlieb said.
Junior pitcher Michael Adams suffered his sixth loss of the season. He allowed seven runs on 10 hits through five innings of work.
In Friday’s series opener, the Tigers jumped on the board early as they pushed across seven runs in the top of the first inning. The big first inning propelled the Tigers to take the series opener 8-6.
Redshirt senior pitcher Kevin Ross earned his first win of the season. He allowed six runs on seven hits through six innings of work.
Sophomore pitcher Dean Stramara recorded his first career save. He allowed one hit and struck out four in three innings.
“Moving Dean from the starting rotation to the bullpen was good,” Gottlieb said. “He did a good job.”
The Tigers play a pair of midweek games against the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and University of Maryland, Baltimore County before traveling to Newark, Delaware, for a three-game series against rival Delaware.
