March 4, 2009

Box Score

RICHARDSON, Tex. - The Bulldog baseball team had another 5-1 lead almost implode on Wednesday as they trailed 8-7 going into the ninth. Adrian scored twice in the top of the frame and added two more in the tenth to hold on for a 9-8 win at the University of Texas-Dallas.

UTD led 1-0 in the first inning and held that lead until the third when Adrian scored four times. Nate Sarkissian had a two-run triple down the right field line which scored Todd Meyers and Joe Dubina to give AC a 2-1 lead. Alex Cowart's sacrifice fly to center gave Adrian a two-run lead. Jake Cappelletty's RBI single to center scored Brian Bilius to end the rally.

Texas-Dallas trailed 5-1 going into the bottom of the sixth and scored once before holding Adrian in the top of the seventh and then erupting for four runs in the bottom of the frame. The middle relief once again had its troubles after a solid start by Don Schmelter. Schmelter threw five innings and allowed seven hits with no earned runs and two walks.

The Comets added another run in the bottom of the eighth to take a 7-5 lead. The Bulldogs had a big two-run ninth inning to tie things at 7-7. Meyers started off the inning with an infield single and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt. Meyers advanced to third with two outs and scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to one. Bilius was hit by a pitch and the inning was kept alive on an error which allowed Steve Vanderheyden to reach base. Cappelletty singled through the left side and scored Bilius in dramatic fashion.

Nick Vandike threw the ninth inning and allowed two walks before stranding a runner at second. Kris Powell drew a one-out walk in the tenth but was caught stealing to set the stage for another two-out rally. Meyers was hit by a pitch and Sarkissian walked to put Meyers in scoring position. Cowart singled to right to give AC a 8-7 lead. Bilius followed with an RBI single through the right side to score Sarkissian.

VanDike gave up a leadoff double to start the bottom of the tenth and a single through the left side to put runners at the corners with no outs. He got a big groundball double play which cleared the bases and allowed the Comets to get within a run. VanDike struck out a pinch hitter looking to end the game.

Adrian banged out 15 hits and the top of the order came through with 10. Meyers went 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Cowart went 3-for-5 with two RBI's in the third spot. Bilius went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Cappelletty also had two hits and two RBI's.