W&J Falls to Manchester in NCAA Regional Opener
MARIETTA, Ohio – Seventh-seeded Manchester College (Ind.) took advantage of four errors and was issued nine walks during its 13-3 victory over Washington & Jefferson College in the first day of action at the 2012 NCAA Division III Baseball Mideast Regional on Wednesday night at Don Schaly Stadium.
The Presidents (35-9) will face sixth-seeded Wooster in an elimination game on Thursday at 1:00 pm, while Manchester (26-19) advances to the winner’s bracket and will take on third-seeded Adrian at 8:00 pm. Wooster dropped an 8-4 decision to Wooster Wednesday afternoon.
The Spartans were aided in the first inning by W&J’s first two errors of the night as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a trio of unearned runs.
W&J answered immediately with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Senior shortstop Aaron Klinec (North Olmsted, Ohio/St. Ignatius) led off with a triple and scored on a single to center by sophomore right fielder Josh Staniscia (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional). Sophomore third baseman Kyle McLain (East Amherst, N.Y./Canisius) plated Staniscia with a ground out and senior left fielder Brian Szabo (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory) knocked in the final run of the frame with a base hit.
Manchester recorded three more runs in the top of the second before tacking on six more during the next two innings for a nine-run lead.
Justin Scott settled down on the mound after a rough first inning and went eight innings for his eighth victory. Scott struck out nine and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits. Senior right-handed pitcher Dave Trushel (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) fell to 9-3 after surrendering eight runs (four earned) on five hits in three innings. The Spartans’ run total was the most given up by W&J this spring.
Cody Schell led Manchester with a 3-for-3 night at the plate with three runs batted in and a trio of runs scored, while Corey Marchant added two base hits and scored three times.
Six Presidents produced hits led by two off the bat of Szabo. Sophomore relievers Mike Vizzini (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) and Chris Kosty (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) and junior Corey Young (Finleyville, Pa./Ringgold) combined to pitch the final 5 2/3 innings and held the Spartans to three hits and one unearned run.
