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Eric Matula pitched a complete-game five-hitter in the opener while going 6-for-10 combined in both games against DeSales

King's Baseball Splits With DeSales

4/18/2009 6:02:52 PM

APRIL 18, 2009
 
KING'S BASEBALL SPLITS WITH DESALES
 
CENTER VALLEY --  Host DeSales University pushed home two runs in its final at-bats during the second game of a doubleheader to forge a split with visiting King's College in an important Freedom Conference matchup Saturday in Center Valley.

With the split, King's stands at 18-13 overall and 7-7 in Freedom Conference play. DeSales, meanwhile, is 19-13 and 8-6 in conference games.
 
In the opener, the Monarchs made two first inning runs stand up to pick up the victory. In the inning, Eric Matula and Jon Venarchick delivered one-out singles. After an infield error allowed Matula to score and Venarchick to reach third base, Jeremy Bonser came through with an RBI single to give the Monarchs a 2-0 lead.

King's then rode the arm of Eric Matula who tossed a complete-game nine-inning five-hitter. Matula allowed only five hits, including a solo home run in the fifth inning to Mike Newland.

Matula enjoyed a stellar day at the plate as well, going 3-for-5 while Rob Fravel was 3-for-4. Venarchick, Bonser, and Pat Harsch all added base hits for the Monarchs.
 
In game-two, the Monarchs plated two runs in the third inning when Mike Fignar was hit by a pitch and Matula again delivered, this time with a two-run home run to right field to give King's a 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Newland brought the Bulldogs to within one run with his second solo home run of the game.

The Monarchs countered in the fourth when Jim Troianiello singled and Fravel followed up with a two-run home run to right field to build a 4-3 King's advantage. DeSales added two runs in the bottom of the third inning, and took a 6-4 lead with three more runs in the sixth inning.

In the seventh, King's responded when Matt Feci singled to center and Fignar was again hit by a pitch. Matula then singled up the middle and advanced to third on a throwing error by DeSales, allowing both Feci and Fingar to score and tie the score at 6-6. Venarchick then doubled to right field, driving in Matula for a 7-6 Monarch lead.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, DeSales would rally when Doc Nieman singled and moved to second on a bunt. After Greg Treat walked, Ian Connors singled home Nieman to tie the score at 7-7. After an infield out moved Treat to third base, Carson Sloanaker delivered the game-winning single to centerfield to plate Treat.

Fravel led King's with a 3-for-4 showing  with two RBI while Matula finished 3-for-5 with two RBI. Matt Unger was 2-for-4 while Venarchick and Feci chipped in with one hit each.  Tommy Rozelle took the pitching loss for King's, allowing two runs on seven hits in three and one-third innings with one strikeouts.
The Monarchs return to action on Tuesday with a 4:00 p.m. home contest against Moravian College at Lipo Field  in the Betzler Athletic Complex.
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