Phoenix, Ariz. - March 17, 2011 - The Springfield College baseball team dropped its first game of the 2011 season to William Paterson, 10-8, on Thursday afternoon in the RussMatt Greater Phoenix Invitational.Springfield's streak of five-straight wins to open the season was snapped as it now stands at 5-1 on the year.
In a hard-fought game, the Pride led 5-4 after five innings of play, before William Paterson plated five runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good. The Pride answered back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to get within one at 9-8, only to have Pioneers tack on an insurance run in the ninth for the win.
Mike Micik went 2-5 from the plate, including a double, as he scored three runs and totaled two RBI. Freshman Sean Smith had a 2-3 day, scoring two runs and adding a pair of RBI.
Starter Steve Forbes last 5.2 innings, allowing six runs off eight hits. Mike McGowan shouldered the loss as he allowed three runs on three hits in one innings of work, while Mike DeFelice pitched 2.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits.
Springfield will play again on Thursday when it battles local-foe Eastern Connecticut State.
Former Springfield College standout Mark Simeone will enter his 17th season as the head baseball coach at his alma mater in 2013 . The reigning NEWMAC Coach of the year is coming off a successful 2012 campaign in which the Pride went 20-15. Read more.