Atlantic City Press 3/31/09: Stockton College falls to Rowan in baseball
Stockton baseball falls to Rowan
By AARON BRACY For The Press
(Published: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
)
GLASSBORO – So much for a friendly welcome to league play for the newcomers.
With 14 freshmen on his roster, Richard Stockton College manager Marty Kavanagh began the season believing 2009 would be an uphill challenge. Then, the young but talented Ospreys began playing, and 11 wins in 14 non-conference games later, everything looked all right.
Now, the outlook isn’t so rosy after the Ospreys dropped their third straight game, all in New Jersey Athletic Conference action, losing to host Rowan 10-6 on Monday.
“We were warned that you don’t win with freshmen in our conference,” Kavanagh said. “(They) just thought the jump from high school ball to the NJAC would be too much. I’m not saying it is yet, but we have to work a whole bunch harder.”
The script has been similar for the Ospreys (11-6, 0-3 NJAC) in their three league losses. And while Stockton is relying on youth – four freshmen were in the starting lineup Monday and eight saw action – the team’s struggles can’t all be placed on the rookies.
The Ospreys are hitting the ball in NJAC play, evidenced by 30 hits and 18 runs, but can’t stop their opponents’ offense. In Saturday’s doubleheader sweep by New Jersey City University, which was picked to finish last in the 10-team league, the Ospreys gave up 17 runs (15 earned) on 24 hits. On Monday, Rowan (12-5-1, 2-2) pounded out 18 hits, with seven of its 10 runs going as earned.
In the three losses, Stockton’s starting pitchers were two juniors and a senior.
Kavanagh isn’t going to stand pat, instead promising changes.
“We’re going to take some starters out of the rotation and put them in the bullpen and take some bullpen guys and make starters out of them,” he said. “We have got to change something around here because this is the same team that was 11-3 a week ago and now we can’t win a game.”
One player who likely won’t see a change is Monday’s starter, returning All-American Scott Fisher. The lefty was decent versus the Profs, allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out eight and walking one in six-plus innings. He tired after facing one batter in the seventh, but left with the Ospreys ahead 4-3.
Jay Wilson, a junior, came in and retired the first two batters before allowing four straight singles that resulted in four Rowan runs and a 7-4 lead the Profs wouldn’t relinquish.
“Scott Fisher is an All-American pitcher for us and someone has to come on the mound after he’s done and finish the job he started,” Kavanagh said. “We have not found that guy yet.”
After the no-decision, Fisher stands at 2-1 with a 5.87 ERA, off of last year’s pace when he went 6-1 with a 2.82 ERA while helping Stockton to a school-record 23 wins. On the plus side, Fisher continued to sizzle at the plate. He went 2-for-3 and hit a towering homer to right into a strong wind in the fifth inning, giving him eight for the season to pass his total for all of last year.
“He threw me a fastball and I put a good swing on it,” said Fisher, who is hitting .587 with a 1.097 slugging percentage.
Matt Allen went 3-for-5 and scored three runs, and Nick DiGirolamo, Mike Wasco and Shaune Collins each had a pair of hits.
Fisher isn’t alarmed by the Ospreys’ conference start, pinning it on the team’s youth.
“I think we played alright, we just have to learn to come together a little more. We’re still really young,” he said. “Young guys have to learn how to play. They’ll get there. I’m very confident in that. I’m sure everybody will come together sooner or later and we’ll start winning these games.”
Like his star, Kavanagh also believes brighter days are ahead.
“I know this sounds crazy when you’re 0-3 (in the conference), but we truly feel we have the talent to turn this thing around,” he said. “I know the level of competition has stepped up. We think we’re a very good team. We’re going to battle through this, but it’s hard right now to keep the kids’ heads up because they’re dejected.
“You just have to keep coming, bring your lunch pail (because) you’re going to be here awhile.”
Richard Stockton010 210 020-6 12 3
Rowan010 101 43X-10 18 2
W-Gallen (3-0). L-Wilson (0-2).
2B-Allen S; Hill R. HR-Fisher S.
RECORDS-Stockton 11-6 (0-3 NJAC), Rowan 12-5-1 (2-2 NJAC)
