Close Becomes Moravian's All-Time Strikeout Leader in Win
Junior pitcher Brendan Close of the Moravian College baseball team became the school's all-time leader in strikeouts as he recorded ten strikeouts in his sixth win of the season to lead Moravian to a 7-1 Landmark Conference win over The United States Merchant Marine Academy Saturday afternoon at Gillespie Field.
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Junior pitcher Brendan Close of the Moravian College baseball team became the school's all-time leader in strikeouts as he recorded ten strikeouts in his sixth win of the season to lead Moravian to a 7-1 Landmark Conference win over The United States Merchant Marine Academy Saturday afternoon at Gillespie Field.
Close, who is now 6-0 this season and 18-3 in his career, the school record for wins, now has 187 career strikeouts, passing the mark of 186 set by Bob Zerfass '65. Close, pictured at right, had his scoreless inning streak snapped at 22 innings during the game, but he allowed just one run on five hits and no walks in eight innings of action. In 42 innings of action this season, Close has struck out 55 batters and walked just three.
The Greyhounds jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first to give Close all of the offense he needed. Junior shortstop Dave Zubia reached on an error to start the inning, and he scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by senior outfielder Mike Zubia. Senior outfielder Jason Huber, who had walked, scored the second run on an RBI sacrifice fly from junior designated hitter Gregg Steinman.
Moravian added a run in the third winning when Dave Zubia led off with a walk and scored on a two-out RBI double by Mike Zubia.
USMMA would score a run in the top of the sixth inning to cut Moravian's lead to 3-1 when junior outfielder John Hubach reached on a wild pitch and crossed the plate on an RBI single from freshman first baseman Jake Martin.
The Greyhounds would answer in the bottom of the sixth with a run to push their lead to 4-1. Junior first baseman Kevin O'Keefe led off with a triple to left centerfield, and he score on the play when the relay throw went out of play.
Moravian added a run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Dave Zubia, pictured at left, hit a one-out, solo homer to left field, his first collegiate home run.
The Greyhounds finished off the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth. Senior pinch hitter Jacob Millen hit a one-out single and freshman Harrison Fonteix came on to pinch run. Freshman second baseman Edwin Balcacrel then hit a fielder's choice that put runners on second and third. Senior third baseman Jon Baltz followed with a two RBI single to score Fonteix and Balcarcel.
Moravian had a 6-5 edge in hits in the game with Mike Zubia going one-for-three with two RBIs. Baltz was one-for-four with a pair of RBIs for the Greyhounds while Dave Zubia scored three runs. Freshman third baseman Andrew MacKinnon and Martin were both two-for-four for the Mariners.
Greyhound junior Kyle Longernecker tossed the final inning, facing just three batters. Sophomore Dustin Thomsen took the loss for USMMA, allowing seven runs, just two earned, on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings of action.
