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News Release

BASEBALL NEWS AND NOTES: Senior Day Ceremony Set For Saturday In Between Doubleheader Games

5/16/2005


Senior Mike Keller will be one of five Retrievers honored on Saturday.

Erik Butkiewicz with one start this week will tie for the career mark in all-time starts.

Baltimore, Md. – UMBC will host four games this week to conclude the 2005 season.  UMBC will play host on Wednesday Night to George Washington and take on Hartford in a three-game America East Conference series.  In between doubleheaders on Saturday, May 21st, UMBC will hold Senior Day, honoring Retriever Seniors Eric Butkiewicz, Mike Keller, Jay Long, Blake Phipps and Kyle Wildasin.  For the latest News and Notes click on the full story link.    

 

LOOKING AHEAD                                     

 

This Week:

5/18   George Washington at UMBC, 7 p.m. 

5/21   Hartford at UMBC, 12 p.m. (DH)

5/22   Hartford at UMBC, 12 p.m.

 

UMBC Concludes 2005 Night Baseball With George Washington on Wednesday Night

UMBC will conclude their 2005 night baseball schedule with George Washington on Wednesday Night at 7:00 p.m.  The Colonials carry a 36-16 record into the game and holds the top spot in the Atlantic-10 West division.  Ryan Roberson is batting .409 on the year and leads the team with 45 runs batted in.  UMBC this season has a 3-4 record on home night games and averaged 232 fans per game.

 

UMBC Hosts Hartford To Conclude 2005 Season

The Retrievers return home from two weekend conference road series to host Hartford in the final weekend of the 2005 season.  UMBC last year took 2-of-3 at Hartford.  UMBC will host Senior Day ceremonies in between games of Saturday’s doubleheader, which begins at 12 p.m.  UMBC and Hartford each hold a 3-15 conference record and been eliminated from the four-team America East Conference Tournament.    

 

WEEKLY WRAP

                                                                                                          

UMBC Falls In Four Straight

UMBC had a tough week as the Retrievers bats went quiet, scoring a total of two runs in three games to open the week.  UMBC bats woke up with 19 hits and 13 runs in the week finale, but the Retrievers bullpen faltered as 11 runs in the remaining two innings sent the Retrievers into a four-game slide. 

 

Towson 2, UMBC 0

UMBC dropped a 2-0 decision to local rival Towson on Tuesday Night at The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC.  The game turned into a pitching dual from the start as Towson starter Joe Peeler (2-4) was perfect the first 2.2 innings and held UMBC without a hit until the first batter of the fourth inning.  Peeler went 6.0 innings allowing three hits with four strikeouts. UMBC starter Kyle Wildasin just as good on the mound, retiring the first 16-of-18 batters he faced in the game.  Wildasin (2-5) went 7.0 innings allowing four hits, two runs, one earned run with four strikeouts.  Zach Clark pitched the eighth and ninth innings not allowing a hit.   Towson scored their first run in the fourth and added an insurance run in the seventh.  UMBC out hit Towson 5-4 and each team committed one error in the game.  UMBC left eight runners on base, including stranding two runners at third base and leaving the tying run on base in the top of the ninth.  Mike Scheffel and Alex Laddbush each went 2-for-4 at the plate for UMBC.  Four different Tigers had solo singles in the game.  

 

Game 1:  Albany 5, UMBC 1  Game 2: Albany 8, UMBC 1

Albany pitching held UMBC to one run in each game and swept a doubleheader from the Retrievers, 8-1 and 5-1. 

 

UAlbany started the game by posting a six-run first inning, led by five straight singles by the Great Dane batters.  Steve Wyland knocked singles in back-to-back at-bats, scoring one run in the first inning and another in the Great Danes’ two-run second.  UMBC scored its only run of the contest in the top of the seventh inning. Kyle Wildasin doubled to right field and advanced to third on a passed ball. Alex Laddbush than knocked an RBI groundout to score Wildasin.

 

In the second game of the day, Jeff Mazzola tossed all seven innings, fanning nine UMBC batters, allowing only one run.  The junior right-hander improved to 2-1 on the season.  The Retrievers took an early one-run lead in the top of the second. Wildasin was walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tom Rinaldi. Wildasin moved up to third on a groundout by Laddbush and than scored on Steve Russo's single to left field. UAlbany answered in the bottom of the third when Craig Farley scored on a single by Steve Sayre.   The score remained knotted until the bottom of the sixth, when the Great Danes offense rallied to score four runs. Derek DeGrazio started the inning off with a double, his seventh of the season. Justin Meagher knocked in Brad Daniels, who entered the game to pinch-run for DeGrazio, and Tony Vallone, who reached base after being hit by a pitch. Tom Hill then recorded an RBI, sending Corvino across the plate. Farley followed with an RBI single of his own down the right field line, scoring Meagher.

 

Game 3: Albany 14, UMBC 13

Albany scored 11 runs in the final two innings to rally for a 14-13 win over UMBC on Sunday afternoon at Varsity Field.  Albany with the win sweeps the three-game series.  UMBC tallied a five-run seventh and five-run eighth to take an 11-3 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning.  The Great Danes responded with eight runs in the eighth to tie the game 11-11.  UMBC returned the favor scoring two in the top of the ninth as Alex Laddbush doubled in Joe Fowler and Kyle Wildasin.  In the bottom of the ninth the Great Danes would rally once again as a sacrifice fly tied the game at 13-13 and a single with two outs produced the walk-off winning run.  Laddbush went 4-for-6 with six RBI on the day, hitting a two RBI double in the ninth and hitting a three-run homerun in the eighth inning.  Ian Carman went 3-for-6 with three RBI. 

 

DAWG BITES

 

Schedule Note:  Senior Day Slated For Saturday, May 21st

UMBC’s season finale series against Hartford will be played on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 as opposed to a Friday and Saturday doubleheader.  Both days will begin with action at 12 p.m.  In between doubleheaders on Saturday, May 21st, UMBC will hold Senior Day, honoring Retriever Seniors Eric Butkiewicz, Mike Keller, Jay Long, Blake Phipps and Kyle Wildasin. 

 

Wildasin’s Continues To Shine In Mid-Week Starts

Junior Kyle Wildasin has started four mid-week games over the past four weeks, allowing two earned runs in 27.0 innings pitched and holding a 0.67 ERA.  Wildasin is 2-1 with a no decision and has 13 strikeouts with an opponent batting average of .188 during the last four starts.

 

Laddbush Drives In Single-Game Career-High Six RBI

UMBC Sophomore transfer Alex Laddbush drove in a career-high six runs, going 4-for-6 at the plate with two doubles and a three-run homerun on Sunday versus Albany.  Laddbush recorded three extra base hits out of his four on the day, knocking two doubles, including a two-run double in the top of the ninth and his fourth homerun of the season. 

 

Wildasin Adds To All-Time Lead In Pitching Appearances

UMBC senior Kyle Wildasin added to his all-time UMBC mark in appearances after moving past Eric Weltmer who made 70 pitching appearances at UMBC.  Wildasin started against Mount St. Mary’s, going 7.0 innings allowing one unearned run and striking out four to earn the win and reach a UMBC career record 71 appearances.  Wildasin holds first and second place on UMBC’s single-season chart for games pitched.  Eric Butkiewicz is third all-time.

 

UMBC Pitching Appearances Chart

    Name                                 Appearances

1. Kyle Wildasin                   73

2. Eric Weltmer                     70

3. Eric Butkiewicz               64

    -bold denotes active player

 

Eric Butkiewicz K’s Five 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 17th.  Last week Butkiewicz struck out five batters to increase his all-time mark to 223 K’s.  Butkiewicz, who entered the season with 175 strikeouts, has sat down 48 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               223

    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 329.2 career innings in the UMBC black and gold.

 

UMBC Pitching Innings Pitched Chart

    Name                                 IP

1. Eric Butkiewicz               329.2

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 20 homeruns this year, all but seven have come off the bat of a newcomer.  Freshman Joe Fowler and transfer sophomore Alex Laddbush hold team-highs of four homeruns this year.  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 16th 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 One Game

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 0-4 last week failing in four attempts to reach the milestone.  Jancuska’s Retrievers have four games on tap this week, including a Wednesday Night game against George Washington.

 

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.  Butkiewicz can tie the mark this week with one start.

 

UMBC Pitching Games Started Chart

    Name                                 Starts

1. Tom Bloom                      50

2. Eric Butkiewicz               49

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