RELEASE DATE: 4/12/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES DROP 8-5 DECISION AT ITHACA

ITHACA, NY – Ithaca College jumped out to an early lead and Mansfield University could never recover in a 8-5 setback in a non-conference contest at Bucky Freeman Field Monday afternoon.

The Mountaineers got on the board first scoring twice in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Josh Rearick reached on an error and moved to second on a single by Eric Baker. Both Rearick and Baker then stole a base before DJ Hoshauer plated Rearick on a sacrifice fly. Baker later scored on a single by Dan Kochenderfer.

But Ithaca would come right back with five runs of their own in their first two at-bats before Mansfield closed the gap to 5-3 in the fourth on an RBI single by Stu Sumner.

Ithaca would again answer, this time with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Mansfield would score again in the top of the ninth on a RBI double by Baker and run scoring ground out by Hoshauer before John Dowling came in relief to get the final out of the game.

Baker went 2-5 with a double and two RBI with Kochenderfer also going 2-5 with an RBI.

The Mountaineers fall to 21-15 overall and will host Millersville in a key PSAC East doubleheader on Friday.

Mansfield       200     100     002     5-9-2

Ithaca              230     300     00x      8-12-1

Mansfield (21-15): David Meldrum (L, 0-1),  Matt Baker (2), Justin Ferguson (5) and Scott Erickson, Brandon Brokaw (6)

2b – Eric Baker         RBI – DJ Hoshauer 2, Baker, Dan Kochenderfer, Stu Sumner

Ithaca (18-5): Ryan Mays (W, 1-0), Matthew Dorn (8), John Dowling (9) (s-3) and Craig Nels

2b – Joe Cavano 2, Nels     3b – Rob Litz             HR – PJ Canestrari

RBI – Canestrari 3, Cavano 2, Marty O’Boyle, Litz