Starner Throws Two-Hitter at Lock Haven, Ship Splits Doubleheader

April 9, 2005

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - A walk-off, two-RBI double by Blake Barbini in the bottom of the seventh of game two gave the Lock Haven University baseball team a doubleheader split with Shippensburg University Saturday afternoon at Foundation Field, 6-1 and 3-2. Junior Nathan Starner (Aspers, Pa./Biglerville) allowed just two hits while striking out five in picking up his fourth win for the Red Raiders in game one.

Despite being held to only five hits in the first game, Shippensburg (17-19, 3-5 PSAC West) managed to score six runs, capitalizing on three Bald Eagle errors. The Red Raiders scored five unearned runs in the top of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie.

Junior Nick Erdman (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley) reached on an error with the bases that scored senior Chad Stecker (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley), giving the Red Raiders a 2-1 lead.

Junior Jeremy Hess (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) then followed with a single to left that scored sophomore Jared Boger (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) before junior Scott Goss (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) hit a two-RBI single that scored Hess and Erdman. Boger scored two of the team's runs in the game one.

Starner shut down Lock Haven (7-11, 2-6 PSAC) in the sixth inning, retiring the first three hitters before sophomore Brian Boylan (Tannersville, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) came on in relief in the seventh.

In game two, Erdman went to the mound after playing right field in the first game and held the Bald Eagles to only one run through six innings, scattering seven hits and striking out four. But, trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Lock Haven loaded the bases with just one out for pitcher Blake Barbini following an error, walk and a hit batter.

Barbini, who went 4-for-4 with three RBI, laced a game-winning double that scored Brett Kelley and Kurt Elbin, giving the Bald Eagles the victory. Barbini also pitched his first complete game of the season, improving his record to 3-1.

Junior Eric Perlozzo (Cumberland, Md./Bishop Walsh) was 3-for-3 in game two with a triple and 4-for-6 on the day. Hess, Boger and Stecker each had two hits for Shippensburg who totaled 10 hits, but left six runners on base.

The Red Raiders travel to Millersville University on Tuesday for a doubleheader at McWilliams Field. First pitch is at 1:00 p.m.

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