No. 12 Mercyhurst Holds Off Shippensburg, 24-21

Feb. 9, 2007

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - No. 12-ranked Mercyhurst jumped out to a 24-6 lead after winning five of the first matches, but had to hold on for a 24-21 victory over Shippensburg in wrestling on Friday evening at Heiges Field House.

For the first time in almost a month, the Red Raiders (4-7) were competing with its usual projected lineup, but a forfeit at 125 pounds proved to be a deciding difference as the Lakers (10-6) won their eighth consecutive match.

In addition to a forfeit at 125, Shippensburg red-shirt sophomore Rick Mascino (Philadelphia/North Catholic) suffered a fall at 174 pounds after taking a 5-4 lead after two periods. In the second, Mascino scored a takedown against Zack Schafer and had him on his back, but the referee ruled a three-point near fall.

In the third period, Schafer started down and turned a reversal into a fall in 5:45 to give the Lakers (10-6) a 24-6 lead.

The Red Raiders also lost a competitive match at 141 pounds where freshman Steve Fittery (Denver/Cocalico) was beaten by seventh-ranked J.J. Zanetta, 8-6 in second round of sudden victory.

With the score tied at 4-4 after regulation, Fittery rode out Zanetta in his 30-second rideout to keep the score tied. In the Zanetta’s 30-second rideout, Fittery escaped twice while Zanetta scored on a takedown to send the match into the second round of sudden victory tied at 6-6.

In the one-minute sudden victory, Zanetta scored a takedown with 33 seconds left to earn the two-point victory, snapping a 14-match win streak for Fittery by giving him his first loss since December 3. Fittery, who has been sidelined with a rib injury, had not wrestled since January 20.

Trailing 24-6, Shippensburg won the final three bouts, including two by fall, but Mercyhurst’s 18-point lead was too much to overcome.

At 184 pounds, senior Mark Murphy (Dillsburg/Northern York) moved past former teammate Corey Jacoby on the school’s career falls list as he earned the 32nd of his career, taking down Gerred Tolson in 4:55. Murphy is currently ranked eighth in Division II.

Meanwhile, red-shirt sophomore Jason Groller (Easton/Easton) picked up his second fall of the season and the third of his career with a win over Kenny Bluska in 4:03.

Other winners for Shippensburg included red-shirt junior Darren Murray (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) at 133 and junior Peter Grodziak (Allentown/Parkland) at 197. Murray looked impressive, holding a 6-2 lead after two periods while Grodziak outlasted Trevor Gallo with a takedown late in a fast-paced third period.

The Red Raiders host the second of three-straight home matches on Saturday when they welcome Gannon to Heiges Field House on Senior and Alumni Appreciation Day. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m., with pre-match ceremonies beginning at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Mercyhurst 24, Shippensburg 21
125 - Ryan Farrell (MC) won by forfeit (0-6)
133 - Darren Murray (SU) decision Payne Lint, 6-4 (3-6)
141 - J.J. Zanetta (MC) decision Steve Fittery, 8-6; sv (3-9)
149 - Don Cummings (MC) WBF Dan Nauman 4:44 (3-15)
157 - Jake Wilson (SU) decision Brian Pogel, 6-5 (6-15)
165 - Hudson Harrison (MC) decision Kirby Fanus, 4-0 (6-18)
174 - Zack Schafer (MC) WBF Rick Mascino 5:45 (6-24)
184 - Mark Murphy (SU) WBF Gerred Tolson 4:55 (12-24)
197 - Peter Grodziak (SU) decision Trevor Gallo, 5-4 (15-24)
Hwt - Jason Groller (SU) WBF Kenny Bluska 4:03 (21-24)

- Red Raider Wrestling -