Box Score

King's Rally Comes Up Short in 10-8 Loss to Wilkes in Freedom Conference Opener

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. -- The King's College baseball team fell to 6-2 after dropping a a hard-fought 10-8 decision to crosstown rival Wilkes in the Freedom Conference opener for both teams Friday afternoon at King's Lipo Field.

Wilkes held a 10-8 lead going the bottom of the ninth inning loading the bases on a single by Tim Marchetti. Tim Zaccone was hit by a pitch and Anthony Re moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Rob Lemoncelli drew a walk to fill the bases, but Tim Schmitt induced a ground ball double play to end the game.

The Colonels jumped out early putting up a three spot in the top of the second taking advantage of a King's error to post a 3-0 lead. The Monarchs struck back with pair of runs in the bottom of the frame when Anthony Lizzi hit a two-run homer over the left field wall to score Rich Acierno who had doubled.

After a Wilkes run in the top of the third, the Monarchs took their first lead of the day with three runs in the bottom of the third with Brian Mikus, Eric Bohem and Acierno each picking up RBI. The Colonels retook the lead in the top of the fourth sending nine batters to the plate on four hits and one King's error to extend the lead to 8-5.

The Monarchs trailed 10-5 going to the bottom of the sixth when Lizzi led off with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Marchetti. Zaccone bunted the runners over and the Monarchs loaded the bases on a Lemoncelli walk. Mikus grounded to short, but an overthrow allowed Marchetti to score cutting the lead to 10-7.

Mikus doubled to lead off the eighth inning and moved to third on a wild pitch. He came around to score on a ground ball to the shortstop off the bat of Bohem cutting the lead to 10-8.

Marchetti led the King's offense going 3-for-5 with a run scored. Chris Sweeney and Lizzi each picked up two hits. Lizzi drove home two runs and scored two more.

Dan Pisanchyn paced the Wilkes offense with a 4-for-4 day with a run scored and an RBI. Joe Dantas chipped in a three hit night to go with two RBI and two runs scored.

Joe Dorbad took the loss for King's going 3.1 innings allowing eight runs, four earned on seven hits striking out three and walking three. Pat Matthews pitched 5.2 innings in relief allowing just two runs on six hits.

Brandon Michael scored the win on the mound for Wilkes going five innings allowing seven runs on nine hits. Tyler Schmitt picked up the save for the Colonels.

The two teams will complete their weekend series on Saturday with a doubleheader at Wilkes set to start at 12:00 p.m.