Pat Longobardi, Sports Writer:
For the first complete game of the season, the No. 5 nationally ranked Southern baseball team turned to starting pitcher, Steve Simon.
The senior delivered, going the whole nine innings behind lengthy run support, as Southern defeated Assumption
College, 12-2, in a Northeast-10 Conference game on April 7 at the ballpark at Southern.
“Steve (Simon) set the tone as we haven’t had a complete game this season,”
said Southern head coach, Tim Shea. “With two on Saturday, one on Sunday and one yesterday, it was important
to rest the bullpen.”
Southern struck in the bottom of the first when first baseman Ryan Geffert
hit a two-run home run to left field, after left fielder Kyle Rosadino knocked in Nick DeProspo with a triple, giving Southern a 3-0 lead.
Southern made it 4-0 in the bottom of the second after second baseman T.K. Kiernan singled to center, scoring Michael Cleary.
In the bottom of the third, Southern broke the game open behind four runs in the inning and two Assumption errors. Geffert reached an infield single after shortstop Shawn Frigon juggled the ground ball, scoring DeProspo.
Right fielder Bryan Dorsey singled to right field, scoring Rosadino. Southern made it 8-0 when Cleary scored after T.J. Shea advanced to second base after a throwing error by catcher Tim Quinn.
Simon, 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA, got into some trouble in the top of the sixth, when Assumption made it 12-2 after RBI singles from Frigon and left fielder Wally Derosier. Simon got the win for Southern, after going the complete nine innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on seven hits and seven strikeouts.
Simon also got three double plays in the game, ending the first, third and seventh innings respectively.
“Steve pitched a great game,” said Kiernan. “He attacked the zone on every pitch.”
Shea said Simon had not thrown in about two weeks after his scheduled start was postponed against Post University.
“He (Simon) was raring to go, and he had great command,” he said. “We had double digit hits, runs, which helps relax the pitcher.”
Southern scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth, making it 12-2. Kiernan singled to center, scoring
Cleary. Rosadino later doubled to deep center, scoring two runs. Simon then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the victory.
“The run support has been unbelievable,” said Simon.
“I have been pretty lucky to get this support in my starts. Cleary made a great play in the outfield and we had some double plays.”
Assumption’s starter, junior Ben Hastings, got the loss after going four innings, giving up nine runs, six earned, on eight hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Sophomore Matt Metcalf pitched two scoreless innings giving up one hit and four strikeouts.
Junior Steve Leahy pitched a scoreless seventh inning giving up one walk. Sophomore Gordy Thomas pitched the eighth inning giving up three runs, all earned, on four hits, and four strikeouts.
Kyle Rosadino led Southern going 3 for 4 with 4 RBI’s and scoring two runs. Ryan Geffert went 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 RBI’s and scoring one run. T.K. Kiernan went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and scoring one run. Cummings went 3 for 5 while scoring two runs. Cleary scored three runs.
Senior Wally Derosier led Assumption going 3 for 4 with one RBI. Junior Travis Smith went 1 for 4. Senior Drew Dombkowski went 1 for 3, while scoring one run.
Southern moved to 24-1 overall, 9-1 in conference. Assumption moved to 6-16, 3-5 in conference.