RELEASE DATE: 2/27/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES WIN 2004 BASEBALL OPENER WITH 10-5 VICTORY AT FAIRMONT STATE

MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University baseball team got its season off to great start with a 10-5 win at Fairmont State (WV) Friday afternoon.

The Mountaineers trailed 5-1 before scoring five runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth inning.

Senior Matt Mills (Clifton,VA/Centerville) drove in two runs with a single to tie the game in the fifth and the Mountaineers took advantage of one of five Fairmont errors to take the lead for good.

Jeff Papi (Tunkhannock/Tunkhannock) started on the mound for the Mountaineers and went four strong innings striking out four and allowing one earned run. Justin Ferguson (Danville/Danville) picked up his first collegiate win going 2/3 of an inning before Marty Rakaczewski (Wilkes-Barre/Hanover) closed the door allowing just one hit while striking out two over the final 2 1/3 innings.

Mills went 3-4 from the plate with a double and two rbi. Dan Kochenderfer (Lewistown/Lewistown) was 3-3 with  double and rbi while Eric Baker (Owego,NY/Owego Free) was 2-4 with a triple and two rbi.

The Mountaineers will play a doubleheader against West Liberty (WV) State on Saturday.

Mansfield (1-0): Jeff Papi, Justin Ferguson (w, 1-0) (5), Marty Rakaczewski (s) (5) and D.J. Hoshauer

2b – Dan Kochenderfer, Matt Mills 3b – Eric Baker

RBI – Baker 2, Mills 2, Josh Rearick, Kochenderfer

Fairmont State (0-1): Rice (L, 0-1), Dussield (5) and Nedina

2b – Cokley               3b – Nedina

RBI – Nedina 2, Pleyo