Baseball: Tigers drop series to rival Tribe

By: Chris Wells, Staff Writer 

Towson lost 9-1 in the final game of a three-game series against Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival William & Mary Sunday at Plumeri Park in Williamsburg, Virginia.   

The Tigers (18-30, 8-10 CAA) allowed eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings. The Tribe (24-23, 13-7 CAA) got on the scoreboard and didn’t look back.

“17-18, that was the score,” Head Coach Mike Gottlieb said. “We scored as many as them except one that I indicated. We pitched well and Stricker played really well in the second game. But we only scored once on Sunday.”

Despite the low-scoring game for Towson, junior Brady Policelli registered three hits.

Redshirt sophomore right fielder Colin Gimblet and junior designated hitter Chris Henze each registered a hit a piece.

Senior Austin Clark (1-4) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 6.1 innings.

On the other side of the ball, sophomore pitcher Dan Powers tossed eight solid innings of work allowing only one run on five hits to secure his seventh victory of the season.

The script was reversed Saturday evening in the second game of a doubleheader when Towson scored the first run of the game and never trailed to secure a 9-1 victory.

A four-run sixth inning and three-run seventh inning sealed the deal for the Tigers.

Freshman Richie Palacios had another record-setting day as he registered his 67th hit of the season, the single-season freshman record at Towson. He went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs.

“I knew he would be a good player, but not this quick,” Gottlieb said. “He’s a good second baser, can hit well, run well, drive the ball deep and I think he can get even better.”

Fellow freshman Cuinn Mullins came up big for the team, recording three hits on four tries, one double, one triple and earning three runs scored.

Sophomore catcher Tristan Howerton also added two runs scored and one hit including one RBI.

Junior Kyle Stricker (5-1) only allowed three hits in 5.1 innings. He also struck out two batters.

Freshman pitcher Skyler Morris came in to pitch the remaining 3.2 innings and recorded four strikeouts.

The series opener proved to be the only close game as William & Mary squeezed out a clutch victory in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Towson had numerous batters connect on multiple hits, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory.

Henze went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and one RBI. Fellow junior A.J. Gallo also went 2-for-5 at bat and added two RBIs. Palacios had two hits and two runs scored.

Sophomore David Marriggi (1-5) tried forcing extra innings but ultimately couldn’t, allowing two runs on three hits in 2.1 innings of play.

“We’re two different teams,” Gottlieb said. “We struggle to hit, then in a second game we’ll go and score nine. We play well in all aspect but not enough.”

The Tigers head home to continue action on May 13 for a three-game series against CAA rival Delaware. First pitch is at 3 p.m. at Schuerholz Park.

“We don’t play at a high level enough,” Gottlieb said. “But when we do, we’re a playoff team.”

Following its series with Delaware, Towson will host George Mason before hitting the road for a three-game series against CAA rival Northeastern.