Blackbirds Comeback Bid Falls Short; Drop Sixth Straight to Temple, 7-6

Box Score

3/17/06 --After falling behind 6-2 in the first six innings, the Long Island University baseball team scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the score before Temple pushed home a run in the bottom half to take the darkness-shortened contest, 7-6, in seven innings.

Junior Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) had two hits and a pair of RBI for the Blackbirds. Fellow classmates James Adamo (Paramus, N.J.) and Robert Rowen (Rosendale, N.Y.) each added a pair of hits.

Two consecutive walks and a single through the right side by junior Marcus Wynn (Plainfield, N.J.) loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Danny Etkin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) pushed the first run of the inning home with a walk and was followed by Burke, who stroked a single to right to score two more. A fielder’s choice by senior Sean Durkin (Damascus, Md.) plated the game-tying run.

In the bottom of the inning, the Owls opened the inning with a double from senior Marc Wagner. Pinch-hitter Mike Sweet was intentionally walked and junior Josh Wernick put down a sacrifice bunt to give the Owls second and third with one out. Another intentional walk loaded the bases for Jamie Abercrombie, who laced a single between Durkin and third baseman Rowen to score the game-winner.

Junior Pete Orsi (Brooklyn, N.Y.) again pitched well in relief for LIU but suffered the loss, dropping to 1-2 on the season. The left hander allowed one run and five hits over three innings. Rob Licata picked up the victory for Temple.

The Blackbirds continue its season on Saturday, Mar. 18 at Saint Joseph’s at 12:00 p.m.