MACOMB, Ill. - Ryan Wachholder (2-7) and the Leathernecks battled the rain all day but earned the victory, 9-1, over Centenary to even the series at one game apiece. Game two of the scheduled doubleheader has been postponed until Sunday. The Purple & Gold will celebrate 2011 Senior Day with a double-dip starting at 11 a.m. The Purple Army moves back to .500 in league play with the win (11-11) and collects its 19th overall victory of the season. Centenary falls to 10-27 and 7-14 in the Summit League.
Both teams were waiting for a window of opportunity to start Saturday's clash and first pitch was not thrown until 2:20 p.m. After the two hour delay, play began and Wachholder was sharp from the beginning as he recorded four 1-2-3 innings.
John Koszulinski started the bottom of the second inning with a hit-by-pitch and lumbered into second base for a stolen base. Tom Lilja used a Centenary error to reach but did record a sacrifice bunt. Koszulinski scored all the way from second on the Gents' miscue. Dan Dispensa drew a walk before Anthony Kaskadden was also plunked. Danny Marcuzzo dropped down a bunt single and Chris Giglio wore one on the elbow for an easy RBI. Matt Igara drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to to center field.
Matt Creamer lead off the Gents' third inning with a hit-by-pitch and eventually came around to score the only run of the day for the visitors on a bases-loaded walk issued by Wachholder.
Quick to answer were the Leathernecks as they were able to put a five-spot on the board in the next inning. Dan Dispensa doubled down the right field line to advance Koszulinski to third after he drew a walk. Kaskadden brought the Leatherneck catcher home with an RBI ground out. Another Centenary error allowed Marcuzzo to reach and Dispensa to score. The second error of the inning allowed Marcuzzo to cross the plate and the Gents went to the bullpen to replace its starter Derek Dalzell (2-7). Ryan Maldonado appeared and Austin Cowen did not welcome him with the normal Macomb hospitality. The shortstop singled in two runs with the base knock. After three complete, the home team was cruising with a 8-1 lead.
Kaskadden drove in the ninth run of the soggy afternoon with his second triple of the season.
Wachholder went eight innings, which matches a career-high (8.0 vs. Oral Roberts - 4/26/11), before being lifted before the final frame. The junior right-hander recorded eight punch outs for a career-high and only allowed three hits and one earned run.
Brian Loconsole was sharp in the final inning after pitching last on April 9 against South Dakota State. Loconsole did not allow a hit and struck out two during his inning of work.
Cowen collected his 16th multiple-hit game with a 2-for-2 performance with two RBI. Kaskadden continued his impressive weekend with two more RBI. Igara and Giglio both collected RBI while seven of the nine Leathernecks collected a hit.
Dalzell last just 2.2 innings and allowed eight runs, three of those were earned. Maldonado was sharp after allowing Cowen to drive in two runs as he went 5.1 innings to finish the game for the Gents.
The series will conclude on Senior Day with two games at Alfred. D. Boyer Stadium. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. Be sure to tune in the broadcast at 10:45 a.m. for all the action as the Leathernecks continue its tournament march.
