SAINT JOSEPH'S BASEBALL TOPS RIDER
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
press release April 30
Stover Earns First Career Win
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Freshman lefthander Jack Stover (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) tossed six strong innings to earn the first victory of his collegiate career as the Saint Joseph’s baseball team jumped out to a big lead in the middle innings and held it for a 6-3 win over Rider at Sonny Pittaro Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Stover allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out seven in six shutout innings. After allowing a one-out hit in the first inning, he retired 10 straight batters.
Saint Joseph’s (23-20) took the lead in the top of the fourth as Chris Hueth led off with a walk, stole second, and came in to score on a double by Greg Kumpel. Kumpel advanced to third on a fly ball by Lansing Veeder and then came in to score on a double by Anthony Cirillo.
Two batters later, Collin Forgey tripled to center, scoring Cirillo and extending the lead to 3-0. Stefan Kancylarz followed with a double to score Forgey and make it a four-run lead.
The Hawks added to the lead in the fifth, as Hueth and Kumpel started the frame with singles and executed a double steal with one out. The throw ended up in center field, allowing Hueth to score on the play. Cirillo followed with a single to bring home Kumpel and push the lead to 6-0.
Rider (26-17) broke through in the seventh as James Locklear singled home Nick Crescenzo to cut the Hawk advantage to five. The Broncs scored twice in the eighth as well, notching runs on a groundout and an error.
The Broncs had two on with two out in the bottom of the ninth, but Steven Schuler struck out Jerry Mulderig to end the ballgame.
Stover improved to 1-4 with the win, while Schuler gave up one hit and struck out two in an inning and two-thirds for his first save of the season. Kyle Kennet took the loss for Rider, allowing two runs on four hits in three and a third innings to fall to 1-1.
Kumpel continued his recent run of form, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored to pace the Hawk offense. Cirillo drove in a pair of runs and scored one while notching two of SJU’s 12 hits.
The win closes out the non-conference portion of Saint Joseph’s schedule. The Hawks will host league rival Xavier in a crucial Atlantic 10 series beginning on Friday at Smithson Field.
