Acorn

Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kerry Klug

Drew University's baseball team is scraping for runs and fighting to get back on track. The Rangers are in the midst of a six-game losing streak that dates back to March 14. During this stretch, the Rangers have been outscored 44-6. Three of the team's conference losses came from Wilkes University with scores of 2-0, 2-0 and 3-2.

"I don't think there is much we need to do to turn things around," pitcher senior Justin Distler said. "We haven't been playing poorly at all."

In a double-header against Wilkes on March 25, the team surrendered just four runs, but was unable to score in either game.

In the first game, pitcher senior Ed Woodrow pitched a gem, scattering just four hits over six innings of work and allowing only two runs. Wilkes' pitcher, junior Brad Woznisky, matched Woodrow's performance by silencing the Rangers' bats for five scoreless innings and leading his team to a 2-0 shutout victory.

In the second game, the Rangers got outstanding pitching from Distler, who surrendered just two runs on six hits in seven innings of work. However, the Rangers could not stop pitcher junior Corey Helfrich, who pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout, enabling Wilkes to complete its sweep of Drew in the double-header.

"If you were to tell me that we would give up only 10 hits and four runs in two games and lose, I would have sent you to the moon, right up there with Alice," pitcher senior Ed Woodrow said.

Despite getting solid pitching throughout the season, the Rangers have struggled to put runs on the scoreboard.

"One of the key factors is getting two-out hits with runners in scoring position," Distler said. "The opposing pitching is nothing we can't hit, and I have confidence in the team to get the job done as the season continues."

After dropping both games at home against Wilkes, the team hosted nationally ranked Kean University on March 26.

In the first inning against Kean, pitcher junior Matt Levine got the Rangers out of a jam without surrendering a run. After getting the leadoff man to flyout, Levine gave up a line-drive base hit to utility player junior Eric Ammirata.

Then, outfielders juniors Dan Mattonelli and Derek Gianakas drew walks to load the bases for shortstop senior Perry Schatzow, who is being scouted by the Cleveland Indians. Levine got Schatzow to ground into an inning-ending double play that kept the game scoreless.

Continued...

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