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Princeton University Athletics
Navy Tops Princeton 3-2 With Run in Bottom of the Ninth
March 26, 2006 | Baseball
March 26, 2006
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy used a leadoff single, followed by a double to right center to plate the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as the Midshipmen defeated the Princeton baseball team 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Frank Bishop Stadium. Princeton led the game 2-0 in the fourth, but a pair of Navy runs tied the score in the sixth and Navy won in the ninth.
Princeton was hitless through three innings but strung together three hits in the fourth to pull ahead 2-0. Freshman Dan Degeorge hit a lead-off single and advanced to second on a ground out. He went to third on a balk and scored when senior Zach Wendkos hit a single to left field. Wendkos came around to score the next run as he went to second on a failed pickoff move by Navy pitcher Tim Hammond and scored on junior Sal Iacono's double down the left field line.
Navy threatened in the fifth as back-to-back one-out singles put a pair on, but a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play ended the inning as sophomore starter Christian Staehely fanned Dominic Lopez and Wendkos threw out Ryan McGinn trying to steal third base.
An inning later, Navy took advantage of its opportunity as it plated two runs to even the game through six innings. A lead-off walk to Renaldo Hollins and a fielding error put two on for Mitch Harris, who doubled to right center to score both runs. Staehely got a strike out and a popup to end the inning.
Staehely left the game after seven strong innings, allowing two runs, one unearned, on five hits, while striking out seven batters and lowered his ERA to 2.14. Hammond went eight for Navy and allowed two runs on three hits. Princeton did not record a hit over the final five innings and only had one base-runner after the two-run fourth inning.
Navy reliever Joe Koessler picked up the win after a scoreless ninth, while junior Michael Zaret took the loss, allowing a run on two walks and a hit. Hollins drew the leadoff walk and Jared Munde hit the game-winning double.
Princeton fell to 4-11 with the loss and is back in action on Wednesday afternoon at Rutgers.