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News Release

BASEBALL NEWS AND NOTES

4/25/2005

UMBC hosts Mount St. Mary's at 7 p.m. in their weekly Tuesday Night Game.

– This week’s Tuesday Night Baseball game at UMBC features Mount St. Mary’s at 7 p.m.  UMBC travels to Towson on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. only to return home for an America East Conference weekend series with Northeastern.   

LOOKING AHEAD                                     

This Week:

4/26   Mount St. Mary’s at UMBC, 7 p.m. 

4/27   UMBC at Towson, 3 p.m.

4/30   Northeastern at UMBC, 12 p.m. (DH)

5/1     Northeastern at UMBC, 12 p.m.

Tuesday Night Baseball Pits UMBC vs. Mount St. Mary’s

Tuesday Night Baseball this week pits UMBC vs. Mount St. Mary’s at the Baseball Factory Field at UMBC at 7 p.m.  UMBC last week defeated N.Y. Tech, 13-2, in weekly Tuesday night home game.  Last year UMBC faced their former Northeast Conference foe Mount St. Mary’s for the first time as a non-conference game since the Retrievers were in the Big South Conference.  UMBC won the match-up at the Mount’s home field by an 8-7 decision.  Tuesday Night Baseball is quickly becoming the place to be every Tuesday night as UMBC will host a Tuesday Night game for the next three Tuesdays of the season leading up to May 10. 

UMBC Travels to Cross-Town Rival Towson on Wednesday

UMBC is looking to even the season series at a game a piece when they head to Towson on Wednesday afternoon.  Towson earlier this year defeated UMBC 11-7.  The Retrievers and Tigers are scheduled to conclude the three-game season series on Tuesday, May 10^th in UMBC’s final Tuesday Night Game of the year.  Towson defeated UMBC two out of three last year. 

Northeastern Comes To Town For Conference Weekend Series

The Retrievers after spending the last two weeks on the road during conference play will return home to host Northeastern.  The Huskies boast a 6-2 conference record heading into their series finale with Vermont on Monday.  Last year Northeastern swept UMBC in three games, holding UMBC to no more than one run in all three games, including a shut out.

WEEKLY WRAP

UMBC Opens Week With Win But Slides To End Week

UMBC dropped four contests last week before after opening the week with a win at home against N.Y. Tech.  The Retrievers are 9-23 on the year and 2-7 in conference play heading into five games this week. 

UMBC 13, N.Y. Tech 13

UMBC sent 10 batters to the plate in the sixth inning and Steve Evans pitched 7.0 innings allowing two runs en route to a 13-2 win over N.Y. Tech on Tuesday Night at The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC.  UMBC tallied 17 hits in the game as all nine Retriever starters scored runs and eight recorded hits in the game.  Evans took over on the mound from the start, sitting down the first six batters in order before giving up his first hit in the top of the third. UMBC sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning to jump out to a 3-0 lead as Mike Scheffel tripled, Kyle Wildasin singled home Scheffel and Alex Laddbush doubled in Wildasin.  Laddbush later scored on a single by Tom Rinaldi.  UMBC scored the final 10 runs of the game, tallying two in the fifth, four in the sixth and four in the eighth inning.  In the sixth UMBC busted the game open sending 10 batters to the plate for four runs on four hits.  For the game Scheffel, Wildasin and Ian Carman each finished with three hits with Scheffel and Wildasin driving in two runs each. 

Maryland 3, UMBC 2 (11 Innings)

The University of Maryland scored in the top of the 11^th inning and held off UMBC in the Retrievers last at bat to take the 3-2 (11) win on Wednesday Night at The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC.  Maryland with the win takes the three-game season series, 2-1.  UMBC scored their only two runs in the fifth inning as UMBC loaded the bases with one out.  Ian Carman singled to centerfield, one of his two hits on the day, to score Joe Fowler.  Mike Scheffel grounded out allowing Steve Russo to score UMBC’s other run.  Kyle Wildasin, who made his 70^th career appearance, tying for the all-time mark for appearances in a career for UMBC, went 6.0 innings allowing six hits, no runs, one walk and three strikeouts.  In the ninth a single by Matt Maropis and double by Elliot Singlitary tied the game, sending it to extra innings.  In the top of the 11^th Will Frazier hit a single down the left field line to score Singletary for the game winning run.  Dan Blewett took the loss, going the final 2.0 innings allowing one run on two hits.  Seth Overbey captured the win pitching the final 2.0 innings for Maryland.  Maryland scattered 10 hits in the game while UMBC was held to five. 

Game 1:  Binghamton 9, UMBC 2 

UMBC dropped a 9-2 decision to Binghamton in the first of an America East Conference three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field.  Kyle Wildasin put UMBC on the board in the first inning with his second homerun of the season, but it was 21 hits by the Bearcats that led to their fourth consecutive conference win.  Wildasin put the Retrievers up 1-0 with a two out homerun over the centerfield wall in the first inning.  UMBC’s other run came in the second as the Retrievers loaded the bases and on a groundout by Anthony Socarras, Tom Rinaldi was able to cross the plate.  Rinaldi led UMBC going 2-for-4 at the plate with one run scored.  Rinaldi was UMBC’s only player to record a multi-hit game as the Retrievers were held to seven hits in the game.  UMBC’s starter Jon Pavlis went 4.0 innings allowing six runs, four earned, nine hits and struck out three.  Tom Schlein pitched 3.0 innings in relief and Matt Buchholz pitched the eighth. 

Game 2:  Binghamton 4, UMBC 1   Game 3: Binghamton 14, UMBC 7

UMBC dropped the final two games of a three-game America East baseball series with Binghamton on Sunday afternoon at Varsity Field.  Binghamton captured the first end of the doubleheader with a 4-1 win and took the night cap with a 14-7 victory.  Zach Clark started for UMBC in game one, allowing six hits, four runs and striking out two in 4.1 innings.  Steve Evans finished the fifth and Dan Blewett pitched a scoreless sixth inning for UMBC.  Left-hander Scott Diamond allowed just two hits and one run in five innings earning the win for Binghamton. In the first inning, sophomore first baseman Brendon Hitchcock stroked an RBI double and sophomore second baseman Matt Simek added a two-out run-scoring single to give Binghamton a 2-0 lead. In the fourth inning, junior third baseman Matthieu Bergeron hit a home run to center field and in the fifth sophomore shortstop Justin Smucker added an RBI single.  UMBC’s only run of the game came in the sixth as Kyle Wildasin singled in Brian Moran. 

In game two UMBC was tagged for 10 runs in the first four innings as the Bearcats jumped on top early with a five-run second inning.  Eric Butkiewicz took the loss, his first in conference play allowing 10 runs on 13 hits, seven of those runs earned in 4.0 innings of work.  UMBC used five pitchers in the game.  Wildasin went 2-for-5 with two RBI and Joe Fowler went 3-for-5 with two RBI to lead UMBC.  Mike Van Gorder captured the win for Binghamton going 5.0 innings allowing four runs on 10 hits. 

DAWG BITES

Wildasin Ties For All-Time Leader In Appearances

UMBC senior Kyle Wildasin tied for the all-time UMBC leader in appearances with Eric Weltmer who made 70 pitching appearances at UMBC.  Wildasin started against Maryland, going 6.0 innings of scoreless baseball on the mound to reach 70 appearances.  Wildasin, who has become a regular weekly starter, looks to take over solo possession on Tuesday Night against Mount St. Mary’s.  Wildasin holds first and second place on UMBC’s single-season chart for games pitched.  Eric Butkiewicz is fourth all-time.

UMBC Pitching Appearances Chart

    Name                                 Appearances

1. Eric Weltmer                    70

     Kyle Wildasin                   70

3. Tom Bloom                       63

4. Eric Butkiewicz               60

    -bold denotes active player

Clark’s Season High Hit Streak Up To 11 Games

Junior Zach Clark has a hit in 11 consecutive games he has batted in, a team-high hit streak for the season.  Clark last year had a hit in 13 consecutive games and led the Retrievers with a .316 batting average.  Clark, who is designated hit for when on the mound, started his streak at Richmond on March 22.   Clark last week recorded a hit during the Maryland game. 

Fowler’s Average On The Rise

Freshman Joe Fowler has raised his average .087 points over the last 12 games and during that span is batting .405 with 13 RBI, two homeruns, three doubles and a .619 slugging percentage.  The rookie outfielder on the year leads UMBC with 22 RBI and has four homeruns and five doubles.  Fowler leads the team in conference play, hitting .387 against league foes.     Fowler last week hit .368 in five starts for the Retrievers.  Fowler held a .455 on base percentage and a .368 slugging percentage as well, scoring three runs and driving in three as well. 

Wildasin Has Hits in 27-of-31 Games played

Junior Kyle Wildasin, who has a eight-game and 10-game hit streak this season, has hit safely in an impressive 27-for-31 games this season for UMBC.  Wildasin enters the week with a team-high batting average at .349 and holds a .457 slugging percentage and .390 on base percentage on the year as well.    

Eric Butkiewicz K’s Two Last Week To Increase All-Time Career Strikeouts Mark

Senior Eric Butkiewicz struck out eight batters against Maine to become the all-time career leader on April 17^th.  Last week Butkiewicz struck out two batters to increase his all-time mark to 210 K’s.  Butkiewicz, who entered the season with 175 strikeouts, has sat down 36 batters to date this season.  Butkiewicz became just the third player in Retriever history to record 200 career strikeouts.

UMBC Pitching Strikeouts Chart

    Name                                 Strikeouts

1. Eric Butkiewicz               211

    Ben O’Connor                  201

3. Kevin Loewe                     200

4. Tom Bloom                       198

5. Bill Gerhardt                     194

    -bold denotes active player

Eric Butkiewicz Becomes First Retriever Pitcher To Throw 300 Career Innings

Senior Eric Butkiewicz went past the 300 career innings pitched plateau during his two-hit 14-1 win over Maine on April 17.  Earlier this year Butkiewicz became UMBC’s all-time career leader in innings pitched after throwing 7.0 innings at George Washington on March 30.  Butkiewicz now has pitched 307.1 career innings in the UMBC black and gold.

UMBC Pitching Innings Pitched Chart

    Name                                 IP

1. Eric Butkiewicz               307.1

2. Tom Bloom                      282.1

3. Kevin Loewe                     281.2

4. Ben O’Connor                  278.2

    -bold denotes active player

Newcomers Going Deep

Of UMBC’s 16 homeruns this year, all but five have come off the bat of a newcomer.  Freshman Joe Fowler holds a team-high four homeruns this year while Alex Laddbush has tallied three homeruns on the season.  Newcomers Ian Carman and Mark Lemon each have two homeruns. 

Butkiewicz No-Hit Bid Comes Up Short In Ninth

Senior Eric Butkiewicz took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against Maine coming three-outs from reaching the milestone before a single and double led to one run and two hits for the Black Bears.  Butkiewicz finished off Maine and captured his second consecutive conference win. 

Fowler Becomes Third Retriever Freshman To Earn Rookie of the Week Accolades

UMBC Baseball freshman Joe Fowler was named Co-Rookie of the Week for the week ending April 17, 2005.  Fowler becomes the third different Retriever this season to earn a rookie of the week accolade from the conference, joining Steve Russo and Mark Lemon.  Fowler extended his hit streak to six consecutive games during the week, batting an impressive .529 in five games for the Retrievers.  Fowler drove in nine runs and recorded four extra base hits, three doubles and a homerun, his team-high fourth of the year.  Fowler held a slugging percentage of .882 and on base percentage of .556 as he moved up as the team leader in RBI on the season with 19.  Fowler in three starts at conference foe Maine went 7-for-12 at the plate with seven RBI, two doubles, one homerun, two runs scored and a 1.000 slugging percentage in the three-game series.  Fowler leads the team in batting average in conference play, hitting .421 in six games.  

Tom Rinaldi Named America East Conference Player of the Week For Week of April 3

Sophomore Tom Rinaldi was named America East Conference Player of the Week for the week ending April 3, 2005.  The sophomore Rinaldi had an outstanding week behind the plate for the Retrievers, playing in two of UMBC’s three games in three days, hitting an impressive .700 with three doubles, three RBI and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Rinaldi went 3-for-4 from the plate against George Washington, recording a double in the game. The next day at Navy, Rinaldi went 4-for-6 from the plate, recording his first four-hit game as he drove in three runs, scored one and cracked two doubles, leading UMBC to an 11-2 win over Navy. Rinaldi on the season is batting .395 with 10 RBI, five doubles and a .512 slugging percentage. Rinaldi enters this week with a seven game hit streak.

Lemon Garners America East Rookie of the Week Honors For Week of April 3

Freshman Steve Lemon was named America East Rookie of the Week for the week ending April 3, 2005.  Lemon batted .333 for UMBC and held a .429 on base percentage scoring one run and driving in two. He had two hits at Maryland and gathered two more at Navy, going 2-for-4 from the plate against the Midshipmen, scoring on run and recording two RBI in UMBC’s 11-2 win.

Steve Russo Named America East Rookie Of The Week For Week of March 20

Freshman Steve Russo was named America East Conference Rookie of the Week by the conference office for the week ending March 20, 2005.  Russo that week went 3-for-6 from the plate with a run scored and RBI.  Russo played in two games, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a start against Buffalo.  Russo started the Retrievers scoring against the Bulls, singling up the middle in the second inning to drive in teammate Tom Rinaldi.  Russo later singled in the game for his second hit and was brought to the plate on an RBI groundout by Anthony Socarras.  Russo ended the week 1-for-2 at the plate against Georgetown.  On the season Russo is hitting .353 with three RBI and two runs scored.  Russo holds a team-high on base percentage of .476.   

16-Inning Contest Longest In School History

UMBC’s 16-inning game against Old Dominion stands as the longest baseball game in UMBC baseball history.  The Retrievers tied the game in the ninth inning at 4-4 which stood idle until a run in the bottom of the 16^th inning by host Old Dominion gave the Monarchs a three-game sweep.  The 16-inning affair also proved to be the longest in Old Dominion’s history as well.

RETRIEVER RECORD CHASING

Jancuska’s  600 Career Win Watch At Five Games

UMBC skipper John Jancuska is on the verge of 600 career wins, all coming during his 28 year stay at UMBC.  Jancuska entered the 2005 campaign with 586 career wins, 14 shy from accomplishing the 600-win plateau.  Jancuska went 1-4 last week to move to five games away from 600 with 595 career wins.  Jancuska’s Retrievers have five games on tap this week.

Butkiewicz Chasing All-Time Starts Mark

Senior Eric Butkiewicz entered the season in reach of three all-time career marks in the UMBC Pitching record books and accomplished two already, becoming UMBC’s all-time leader in innings pitched and  career strikeouts leader.  Butkiewicz entered the season second in starts, fourth in innings pitched and fifth in career strikeouts.  With a start last week Butkiewicz needs four to tie that all-time mark.

UMBC Pitching Games Started Chart

    Name                                 Starts

1. Tom Bloom                      50

2. Eric Butkiewicz               46

3. Bill Gerhardt                     36

    -bold denotes active player

Wildasin Adds To Career Saves Mark

UMBC senior Kyle Wildasin added to his UMBC all-time career saves mark with a save against Richmond.  Wildasin entered in the eighth inning after Richmond had closed the gap to 10-6 and held bases loaded with no outs.  Wildasin pitched UMBC out of the eighth and threw a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his ninth career save.              

UMBC Pitching Saves Chart

    Name                                 Saves

1. Kyle Wildasin                   9

2. Ira Carlson                       6

    Eric Weltmer                     6

    -bold denotes active player