The Elm Student Newspaper
Baseball looks to big weekend of five CC games
Stephanie Fowler
Senior Ernie Wagner strikes out his tenth
Haverford batter in his complete game last week.
By Jonas Johnson, Elm photographer
The biggest problem the Shoremen have been facing this season is the weather. Rain has caused several postponements. From last weeks different rainouts, the Shoremen schedule was adjusted so that seven games would be played in just six days.
Their luck changed though last Tuesday as the skies were beautiful for their game against Centennial Conference foe Haverford College. The Shoremen, eager to play, took advantage of the good weather and rolled over the Fords, 7-2.
Senior Ernie Wagner maintained his steam for all nine innings of play leading the Shoremen to their first win at home in the 2001 season. Wagner picked up his second win of the season, scattering eight hits and only one earned run while striking out 10. Wagner is currently second in the conference in strikeouts with a total of 36, just one behind the leader.
Offensively, Washington scored seven runs and banged out ten hits against Haverford.
Senior Jason Usilton led the Shoremen attack going 2-for-2 with three walks and three stolen bases on the day. Junior Scott Gartlan and Sophomore Matt Wolfe each went 2-for-4 with one RBI in the effort. Adam Huron (1-2) took the loss for the Fords.
"This was a good overall performance by the team," said Wagner.
"Out good pitching, good defense, and timely hitting showed our team's complete capability."The Shoremen next took on conference rival Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday. The original date of this game was on Friday, March 30, but the game was postponed due to rain.
In the first match-up against the Blue Jays, the Shoremen were blanked 5-0 by Senior Yani Rosenberg's record tying performance. Rosenberg tied Washington's David Briggs '00 conference record for strikeouts in a game with 16.
In the re-match, the result was the same for the Shoremen as Johns Hopkins prevailed again, this time 10-0.
Freshman Mike Dziecichowicz took the mound for his first ever collegiate start. Dziecichowicz allowed 10 hits and six runs in six innings.
Blue Jays freshman Russell Berger shut down the Shoremen offense throwing a complete game three hitter. Berger only allowed one walk while striking out five in his efforts.
With a game today at Haverford, and two double-headers this weekend at home against Muhlenberg and Franklin & Marshal, the Shoremen will be playing five key conference games in just three days. "There is no reason why we cannot go 5-0 this weekend if the intensity is there every inning," said senior first baseman Brandon Mallon.
Mallon is correct. Junior Fred Chalmers will be on the hill today for the Shoremen as they look to even up their overall record to 6-6 and their conference record to 2-2.
Chalmers, in just 12 innings of work, has struck out 15 batters. "As long as our defense continues to play as well as it has all I need to do is throw strikes to give our team a chance to win," said Chalmers.
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