March 8, 2009
Shoremen Batter Bears in Opener, 17-9
Washington Bangs Out 21 Hits in Victory

COCOA, FL - The Washington College baseball team banged out 21 hits in a 17-9 season-opening win over Bridgewater State this afternoon in Cocoa, FL. The Shoremen got impressive performances from junior third baseman Matt Boucher (Alexandria, VA/Bishop Ireton) and freshman catcher John Rolewicz (Bear, DE/Salesianum) in the victory over the Bears (1-1).

The Shoremen wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, plating seven runs in a first inning which included a three-run triple by senior shortstop Greg Perret (Morris Plains, NJ/Bayley Ellard). Bridgewater State trailed, 10-4, before getting three runs across in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 10-7. Washington answered with a run in the fifth, two in the sixth, and three in the seventh to open up a 16-7 lead. Boucher then led off the top of the eighth inning with his first collegiate home run to tack on the Shoremen's final run. Bridgewater State got a run across in the bottom of the eighth and another in the bottom of the ninth to provide the final margin.

Rolewicz finished the game 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, three runs scored, and two RBI. Boucher went 4-for-7 with his home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Freshman center fielder Ryan Normoyle (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI, and three runs scored, while freshman designated hitter Ben Keaton (Arlington, VA/Flint Hill School) went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored, and freshman left fielder Ben Jardot (McLean, VA/Flint Hill School) went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored. Senior right fielder Tony Tozzolo (Calvert County, MD/Northern) was 3-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored, while Perret finished 2-for-4 with a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Sophomore pitcher Harry Woods (Montclair, NJ/Montclair) picked up the win for the Shoremen, allowing seven runs, four of them earned, in five innings of work. Freshman pitcher Hunter Draheim (Hollywood, MD/Leonardtown) threw the next three innings, while freshman pitcher Mike Zurawski (Linwood, PA/Chichester) pitched the ninth.

Jeff Puopolo went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored for the Bears.

The Shoremen will return to action tomorrow with a 7:00 p.m. game against Penn State-Brandywine in Cocoa, FL.

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