March 12, 2008

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – Ripon got together with Drew University (NJ) Wednesday for what turned out to be an offensive explosion for both teams. The two squads combined for 29 runs and 32 hits, but it was the Red Hawks that got the last laugh, scoring eight runs in the final two innings for the 15-14 victory. Bryant Bullock turned out to be the hero, delivering a two-out double in the bottom of the ninth, which drove in the final two runs of the game.

Drew got on the board first with two runs in the first inning. Ripon then cut that lead in half on Scott Gillespie's first collegiate home run, a solo shot, in the second. Drew was able to get more breathing room in the top of the third, as they saw six more runners cross the plate, including two home runs. Mac Shumann cut Drew's lead to 8-2 in the bottom of the third, as he scored on a wild pitch.

Drew's bats were just getting warm, scoring six more runs over the next two innings. Luckily for the Red Hawks, their bats were just as warm, as they matched that with five runs of their own.

With Drew leading 14-7 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Ripon made their move. Their eighth inning rally was started by a one-out walk to Nate Paul. He would come around to score on the next at-bat, a double by Alex Duros. After Brett Wegner singled to put runners on the corners, Gillespie duplicated his earlier feat, crushing a three-run home run over the left field wall, bringing Ripon to within three runs.

Ripon's ninth inning was again started with one out, when Nick Whitty doubled to left center. One batter and one swing of the bat later, it was a one-run game, as Nate Paul hit his first home run as a member of the Red Hawks. Duros followed that with another double, which was followed by a walk to Will Gillis. After those two runners advanced one base on a passed ball, Drew intentionally walked Gillespie, fearing he would hurt them a third time. One batter later, Bullock hurt them just as bad, delivering the walk-off double to give Ripon the improbable come-from-behind victory.

Duros led the Red Hawks with a 4-for-6 performance at the plate, including a pair of doubles. Gillespie added three hits, while Bullock and Kurt Roeder each finished with two. Gillespie also added a double, in addition to his two home runs, four RBI, and three runs scored. Bob Bruce earned the win, allowing five hits in four scoreless innings of work.

Ripon will be in action again on Thursday, as they'll play their first doubleheader of the season, a twin-bill against Colby-Sawyer (NH). The first game will begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT and will be played at Florida College.