May 24, 2008

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NEW ORLEANS, La. - Marshall left fielder Jeff Rowley scored from third on a two-out wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning as sixth-seeded Marshall defeated host and third-seeded Tulane, 7-6, during day four of the 2008 Entergy Conference USA Baseball Championship Saturday at the new Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.

The two teams traded momentum swings throughout the ballgame, but the final blow came in the ninth when Rowley singled, and advanced to third on a hit-and-run single by designated hitter Kurt Lipton. Tulane reliever Rob Segedin struck out third baseman Brandon Casamassima for the second out of the inning, but his throw to nine-hole hitter Ben Jurevicius was behind the batter and that allowed the winning run to touch the home for the win.

Marshall struck first with runs in both the first and second inning. The first came on a two-out RBI single from Victor Gomez and the Herd added its second run on a home run by third baseman Brandon Casamassima.

Herd starter Andrew Blain was cruising along, allowing just one hit into the fifth inning. But, after Aja Barto beat the throw to first on a potential double play ball, Tulane's rally pressed into full gear. Anthony Scelfo crushed a ball high on the screen behind the left field fence to give the Green Wave a 3-2 lead. Then, Seth Henry went deep to right field, making it a four-run inning and tying the score at 4-all.

Tulane's lead was short-lived, however, as Marshall answered the host's four runs in the top of the fifth inning with a four spot of its own. Adam Yeager doubled to lead off the inning and scored on Nate Lape's second home run of the tournament. Gomez then singled and Rowley walked. Both runners then advanced on a fielder's choice and Kurt Lipton hit a single to center that fell just in front of Scelfo's glove, scoring both runners and giving Marshall a 6-4 lead.

Tulane cut the deficit to one with a run in the seventh on a single from Seth Henry that scored Barto. The lead then changed hands once again in a dramatic top of the eighth inning as Scelfo hit a two-out, two-RBI single to centerfield that scored Sam Honeck and Drew Allain to give Tulane the 7-6 advantage.

Marshall had the last at-bat as the designated home team and was able to later grab the win on the wild pitch.

Lape finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBI, three stolen bases and two runs scored. Rowley was 2-for-3 with two runs scored for the winners.

Arik Skula grabbed the win, fanning four and walking one in 2.1 innings of work.

This was just the second game in tournament history to end on a walk off wild pitch. In 2004 UAB defeated Memphis, 8-7 also on a wild pitch to the screen.

With the win, Marshall (28-29-1) advances to play second-seeded Southern Miss today at 4:30 p.m. Tulane (37-20-1), meanwhile, is eliminated from tournament play.