Buckwalter and Wright Brilliant in Doubleheader Sweep of Lock Haven

Apr. 20, 2007

Game One | Game Two

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Shippensburg senior Ross Buckwalter (Ephrata/Ephrata) threw a complete game shutout in the opener, and sophomore Matt Wright (McClure/Mid-West) fanned 15 Lock Haven batters in the nightcap, leading the Red Raiders to a pair of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division victories Friday afternoon.

Shippensburg (20-15, 10-4 PSAC West) won the games by scores of 2-0 and 5-2, and with the wins, the Red Raiders kept themselves in first place in the PSAC West. Lock Haven falls to 11-21 overall and 5-9 in conference play.

Buckwalter (5-1) allowed just three hits in in game one, and it was his first career complete game shutout. Two hours later, Wright (5-1) came within one strikeout of tying the school record for strikeouts in a seven inning game. The record holder, Nathan Starner, set the mark on March 25, 2005 against East Stroudsburg.

Shippensburg's offense managed just two runs in the opener and both came in the third inning. Senior Eric Perlozzo (Cumberland, Md./Bishop Walsh) started things with a single to right. Junior Justin Garber (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) followed with a single, but trying to throw out Perlozzo at third, the right fielder's throw skipped away, allowing Perlozzo to score and Garber to move to third. The next batter, senior Scott Goss (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop) picked up his team-best 27th RBI of the season with a ground out to first.

Shippensburg was limited to just four hits by Lock Haven starter Pat Young (2-5) and both of the runs were unearned. Young also went the distance and notched five strikeouts.

The Red Raider offense started quickly in game two, picking up a run in each of the first two innings. Wright allowed just two hits through seven innings, but following an Ship fielding error, Matt Palko homered to right centerfield, giving Lock Haven the momentary lead.

Shippensburg took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth when Brian Emerich (Mertztown/Brandywine), making his first career start as a Red Raider, drove in his first career run with his second hit of the afternoon. Garber's two-run single in the sixth boosted the lead to 5-2.

The Red Raiders provided more than enough run support for Wright, who after giving up a hit in the fourth and a walk in the fifth, sat down six-straight Lock Haven batters, including three strikeouts in the top of the seventh.

For Wright, it was his eighth career win in nine starts against PSAC Western Division opponents.

Sophomore Tyler Redick (Fairfield/Walkersville (Md.)) added two hits and drove in a run. Sophomore Scott Stern (Martinsburg/Central) was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

Kevin Gordon (1-3) suffered the loss after allowing five runs, two of which were earned on nine hits through six innings.

Shippensburg travels to Lock Haven for a doubleheader on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

- Red Raider Baseball -