Rams Drop Wolfpack In Opening Game
MOBILE, Ala— Top-seeded University of Mobile began the 2008 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament in fine fashion by run-ruling Loyola University 20-6 in 7 innings in the opening game of the tournament at Stan Galle Field.
The Rams pounded out 18 hits and scored at least 2 runs in every inning, including 10 over the final two frames to put the game away.
Nelson Curry went 5-for-5 with 5 runs scored at the top of the Mobile order and Stephen Stork finished 3-for-4 with 4 runs scored from the 2-hole. Kevin Orso did his job as the clean-up hitter for the Rams with a 4-for-4 afternoon and 6 RBI, while Carlos Romero plated 4 runs and Daine Solomon finished 3-for-3 with 5 RBI.
Mobile used four 2-out tallies over the first 3 frames to take a 6-1 lead, before the Wolfpack made a game of it with a 4-spot in the 3rd inning when Josh Borges and Stephen Carroll both came through with 2-run singles to make it a 6-5 ball game.
Up 10-6 heading into the 6th inning, the Rams got a 2-run single from Orso and a 2-run double from Solomon to pull away.
GCAC Pitcher of the Year Justin Bracewell went the distance and scattered 11 hits to pick up the win for Mobile, while fanning 8 Wolfpack batters. Miles Colley took the loss for Loyola after allowing 4 runs over 1.2 innings of work.
Borges finished 3-for-4 with 3 RBI for the Wolfpack, Brian Mason went 2-for-3 at the plate and Kevin Fontenot collected a 3-hit game at the top of the order.
The Rams advance to play the loser of the Belhaven/William Carey game at 3:30 Thursday, May 1st. The Wolfpack will play the loser of the Spring Hill/LSU-Shreveport game in an elimination game at 12:00 Thursday.
Mobile moves to 41-12 overall and Loyola falls to 18-32 on the season.