The Washington College baseball team ended their final week of the season with three wins and one loss, sweeping Neumann College and splitting a double header with Centennial Conference foe Gettysburg.
Wednesday, April, 25, Washington hosted a double header against Neumann College, stunning them in each game. The Shoremen took the first game by a close score of 2-1 and pounded Neumann in the second contest, 9-1.
Sophomore Tom Palazzo (4-2) scattered six hits and struck out four in six and one-third innings of work to pick up the win. Senior Ernie Wagner came into the game with one out in the top of the seventh inning and two men on base. After a walk that would load the bases, Wagner struck out the next batter and got the last batter to ground out to shortstop to pick up the save.
In the second game, Freshman Mike Dziecichowicz went 3-for-3 with a homerun and two RBI from the DH spot. This game, along with a great overall season earned Dziecichowicz a spot on the April 30 Centennial Conference Weekly Honor Roll. Freshman Derek Smith (3-1) totally shut down Neumann as he allowed a mere two hits to pick up the victory.
Saturday, April 28, the Shoremen traveled to Gettysburg to face off with the Bullets of Gettysburg College for their last game of the season. Going into the games, Washington was in fifth place and had no chance on winning the conference title, though defeating the Bullets once or twice would jeopardize their chances at the title.
In the first game, the Shoremen completely shut down Gettysburg, 2-0.
Wagner, in his last collegiate appearance, provided a strong performance for his team. "When Ernie Wagner beat Gettysburg, 2-0, it capped an outstanding year for him in which he went 5-4," said Streelman. "He pitched against some excellent competition and had a 2.11 earned run average which is simply outstanding. He finished like the true champion that he is."
Game two did not end up as well for the Shoremen. Both teams stepped up their offensive performances. Unfortunately, the Bullets outlasted the Shoremen winning 9-8 on a walk off base hit.
Senior Brandon Mallon went 2-for-3 with two RBI in his last collegiate contest. Junior Scott Gartlan also finished 2-for-3 with two RBI. Smith, pitching relief on just two days rest, had men on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning when Bullets freshman Mike Luteran hit a single up the middle to drive in the game winning run for Gettysburg. Luteran was the leading hitter in the conference going into the two games.
Gartlan ended the season with the fourth best batting average in the conference,.404. Dziecichowicz finished seventh overall with a .384 average.
Wagner earned the conference Pitcher of the Week award for the second time this season. He also ended fourth overall in ERA and second in strikeouts, K/9 innings pitched ratio and overall innings pitched.All three players are in contention to receive All-Centennial awards that will be announced next week.
The team ended the season with an overall record of 15-14 and 9-9 in conference play which landed the team in fourth place.
The team is also currently ranked second in defense among all Division III teams. Coach Al Streelman said that the ranking is a tribute to his players who have worked hard all season long.
Though the team only loses three players to graduation, it is losing three starters who play baseball well. The team loses three important leaders.
Luckily, Streelman has recruited 10 new players and is "excited" about the upcoming season.
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