Sport in world

Strong pitching leads to Leathernecks' 5-0 victory over Robert Morris

July 4, 2008 on 8:06 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. - Six pitchers saw time on the mound to combine for a 5-0 shut out as the Western Illinois baseball team defeated Robert Morris College, Wednesday afternoon at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium.

Frank Zenisek picked up his first win of the season as he was the only pitcher to throw more than one inning for the Leathernecks (6-14).

The offense got things going with two runs in the first and third innings off of the Eagles’ (12-7) starter Rob Krooswyk. Brett Pendell roped a triple to center field in the first and came home on a Kenny Price sac fly. Drew Laidig belted his second home run of the season with two outs. The heart of the lineup stayed productive in the third as Pendell led off with a single and was followed by Price with a double. Picking up his second RBI in as many at-bats was Laidig on a sac fly to right. T.J. Kistner’s second hit of the game brought in Price for the 4-0 lead after three.

Tim Victor scored the game’s final run in the fourth after leading off with a single. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a pass ball before Jared Wolf flied out to left to bring him in.

“I though Robert Morris played well today,” said Western Illinois head coach Stan Hyman. “Their pitchers looked strong and they played solid defense. They are a very improved ball club. It would have been easy for them to roll over in a 5-0 ball game, but they didn’t.”

The pitching staff was strong throughout the game. Bryan Faulds worked the fifth inning and gave up the only hit for the rest of the game. Chris Fuchs, Todd Nelson and Travis Tolsma each saw an inning on the hill. Working the ninth was Eric Eden who picked up three strikeouts in the final frame.

“Right now we are not a high scoring offense,” added Hyman. “We did enough today to get the win, but in conference that won’t cut it. Oakland is coming in as a good hitting team with a head coach that knows how to teach hitting. We can slow them down but we won’t be able to shut them out. We need to get our pitchers some runs.”

“We continue to pitch well and play solid defense, which is key for us,” Hyman continued. “But our pitching and defense won’t carry us for every single game the rest of the year. We need to get our offense rolling. Right now I think there are four positions open in the batting order and we are waiting for guys to step up and fill those spots.”

Western starts Summit League play this weekend as Oakland comes to town for a four-game set, starting Friday, April 4, at 3 p.m.

Originaly from Source