March 10, 2002

Final Stats

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Tulane University baseball team made things interesting, but ultimately came up short as the Green Wave dropped a 5-3 decision to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Sunday afternoon at Turchin Stadium.

Tulane had bases loaded with nobody out in the first, but managed just one run. With a one-run lead, Tulane starter Kris Kline had a rough time in the top of the second as he gave up a single and back-to-back bases on balls before walking a pair of runs in and giving up two run-scoring singles in a five-run inning that proved to be the difference.

"The story of the game was the bottom of the first for us and the top of the second inning for them," head coach Rick Jones said. "We didn't cash in with the bases loaded. We couldn't get it done. They were able to cash in, and then their guy (starting pitcher Tom Wheeler) settled in and pitched like a senior. I thought we had some good at bats at the end there, but you just have to tip your hats to them."

Wheeler kept the Green Wave off balance throughout most of the afternoon, striking out five and giving up just three hits through the first seven innings. But with two away in the home half of the eighth, centerfielder Jon Kaplan, designated hitter Chris Taylor, first baseman Michael Aubrey and third baseman Brooks Shankle all hit singles in consecutive at-bats to cut the lead to 5-3.

Then, with two away in the bottom of the ninth, pinch hitter Scott Madden laced a two-out double to right-center field to bring the tying run to the plate in the form of James Jurries. But Rutgers reliever Ryan Molchan forced Jurries to fly out harmlessly to center to end the game and seal the Scarlet Knights' victory.

Things got off to a good start for the Green Wave as Kaplan, designated hitter Roydell Williams and Aubrey drew consecutive walks to load the bases with nobody out. Shankle followed up the free pass parade with an RBI single to center to put Tulane ahead 1-0, but Gerald Clark popped out to second and Brad Rosenblat hit into a double play to end the threat and end the chance of a big inning.

In the top of the second, Rutgers would not let their bases-loaded, no-out situation slip through their fingers as the Scarlet Knights turned a trio of walks and three hits into the only five runs they would score on the afternoon. Rutgers' Val Majewski led off the frame with a single before Jeff Frazier walked and Steve Normane had a base hit to load the bases. Catcher Alberto Vasquez worked a full count after falling behind to Kline 0-2 and drew a walk to plate Majewski and tie the score at 1-all.

It appeared as if Kline would get out of the frame as he struck out the next two batters he faced. But Graig Badger walked and Ryan Lillis hit a two-RBI single up the middle to run Kline from the game en route to the five-run frame.

Freshman Ray Liotta did an admirable job in relief, striking out two and walking none while giving up six hits in 7.1 shutout innings, but the lead proved to be too much as Wheeler was masterful and Molchan was able to close it out.

Wheeler earned the win to improve to 2-0 on the year and Molchan claimed his second save.

The Green Wave line-up had to be tinkered moments before the game as several members of the Tulane squad have been hampered by an illness going around the clubhouse. Jurries, who was slated to start the game at second base, was a late scratch after it was determined an illness had him too weak to play. Jurries, who eventually came into the contest in the bottom of the eighth, joined designated hitter Aaron Feldman and relief pitcher Joey Charron on the sick list, while starting left fielder Bryan Stelmack sat out the contest after twinging his back in last night's 6-4 win.

Tulane returns to action on Wedensday, March 13, when the Green Wave travels to Hammond, La., to take on the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m. at Alumni Field.