March 24, 2009

Box Score
Box Score In PDF Format

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Sophomore Pat Dean threw 7.0 innings and allowed one unearned run and the Boston College baseball team scored four runs in the top of the ninth to break a tie and defeat Hartford, 8-4, Tuesday afternoon at the Hartford Baseball Field.

Sophomore Mickey Wiswall went 4-for-5 in the game with three two-out RBI. Redshirt freshman Andrew Lawrence went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and junior Mike Belfiore recorded a two-run double. Wiswall and Lawrence both hit two doubles on the day.

Dean allowed just four hits and an unearned run in his outing. He struck out nine batters, walked one and retired 13 of 15 Hawks at one point but picked up a no decision.

In the top of the ninth with one out and the game tied 4-4, senior Mike Augustine got himself to second with a double to the gap in right and then sophomore Garret Smith singled through the left side to put runners on the corners. Junior Robbie Anston then took a 1-2 pitch to right to plate the game-winning run for BC to make it 5-4.

Lawrence continued the rally when he blasted a double over the head of the right fielder to bring in another run and put two more runners in scoring position. Junior Tony Sanchez picked up an RBI with a sac fly to left to extend the lead to 7-4, and then Wiswall hit a double to center for the fourth run of the inning.

Wiswall drove in his first run of the day when he lined a single to the opposite field in left to score the game's first run.

The Eagles posted two more runs in the third inning to push the lead to three. With one out in the frame, Sanchez was hit by a pitch and then Wiswall singled again to put runners at first and second. Belfiore then took a 1-0 pitch and one-hopped the wall in left against a stiff wind for a double to score both runners and give BC a 3-0 lead.

Hartford put up its first run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rodger Wilmot led off the frame and hit a ball down the line to deep right. Junior Barry Butera tracked it down but the ball slipped out of his glove and Wilmot reached second on the play. After Dean retired the next two batters, Matt Walker hit a grounder softly down the first base line. Belfiore fielded it and tagged Walker but the ball fell out of his glove and Wilmot scored for the Hawks' first run.

BC responded immediately with another run in the eighth. Lawrence picked up his second hit of the day when he singled to lead off the frame and Sanchez moved him up to second with a sacrifice bunt. Wiswall then roped a 1-0 offering to the gap in right-center for a double to push the lead back to three, 4-1.

The Hawks didn't go away and picked up three runs in the eighth to tie the game going into the ninth. With one out, Hartford threatened when Simon Kudernatsch and Mike Amendola drew consecutive walks. Sophomore Nate Bayuk came in from the bullpen and retired Andy Drexel for the second out, but after a walk loaded the bases, Ben Sobocinski hit the gap in right-center for a bases-clearing double that tied the game, 4-4.

Sobocinski went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Hawks (1-11) and drove in three runs. Zach Tarner had a strong outing on the mound, throwing 7.0 innings and allowing three runs on five hits.

BC (14-6) will take on Holy Cross in Worcester on Wednesday at 5 p.m. before hosting its first series of the season against Clemson beginning Friday afternoon at Shea Field.