A formula of good defense and solid pitching usually wins games, and eventually, championships.
The 2002 men's baseball team had such a formula in mind when they came back from their annual spring break trip to Florida, but it appears that the team left that formula in the Sunshine State.
Since starting Centennial Conference play on March 27, the Washington College Shoremen have gone a horrific 1-8, losing eight in a row.
The team now stands at 10-12-1 overall and is in the basement of the conference, being 1-8.
The most recent defeats for the Shoremen came at the hands of #14 Johns Hopkins, Muhlenberg and Haverford.
The Blue Jays scored three runs in the first, three in the third, two in the fourth, one in the sixth and one in the seventh last Friday against Washington.
At one point the score was 9-0 and looked to be a shutout. However, in the top of the seventh, freshman leftfielder Jim McEvoy scored WC's lone run. Senior centerfielder Mike Scozzafava went 3-for-4 on the day and senior catcher Dan Evans was 2-for-5. McEvoy went 1-for-2 with a walk.
Washington made four errors in the contest which led to two unearned runs.
WC's next matchup was a doubleheader in Allentown, PA against Muhlenberg. The Shoremen lost both games by one run, 5-4 in the first and 6-5 in the second.
Muhlenberg led 3-1 after six innings in the first game. The Shoremen then scored three runs with two outs in the top half of the seventh inning and took a 4-3 lead on a triple by Scozzafava.
Singles by Evans and junior firstbaseman Ryan Sweet also brought in runs. The Mules rallied in the bottom of the inning and scored two runs to win the game.
The second game looked more hopeful for the Shoremen, who led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth. The Mules would tie the score with four hits, which included a two-run-homerun by Justin Rubenstein.
Muhlenberg would pull ahead 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth and hold off a late threat by the Shoremen for the win.
Freshman John Marshall took the loss in the first contest. Sophomore Derek Smith suffered his first loss of the 2002 campaign in game two. Senior Fred Chamlers started the nightcap and threw five solid.
Tuesday, the Shoremen hoped to change their ways and get back into the win column.
Washington had junior Tom Palazzo on the hill and looked to him to stop the bleeding.
Once again, however, poor fielding lost the game for the Shoremen.
A total of six errors were made in the game, which resulted in three unearned runs for the Fords.
McEvoy, freshman second basemen Marco Muscella and Scozzafava did all go 2-for-4 in the effort. McEvoy and Muscella also scored one run each on Scozzafava's two run triple in the fourth inning.
Palazzo ended up allowing just seven hits and one earned run, while striking out four.
Washington now finds itself in a precarious position as they are starting to hit but now are faulty in the field.
Come support the Shoremen, today, as they play the back end of a home and home with Haverford. First pitch is at 3:30 p.m.
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