Feb. 22, 2003

Box Score

Columbia, South Carolina - The Duquesne baseball team's rally was held off by seventh-ranked South Carolina as the Dukes lost to the Gamecocks 7-5 Saturday afternoon, following a three-hour rain delay. Down 7-3, Duquesne added two runs in the top of the eighth but were able to get any closer after senior catcher Brian Frey, who led off the ninth with a single, was cut down by a double play.

Senior third baseman John Rieg led the Dukes with a 2-for-3 afternoon. Both hits were doubles as Rieg scored one run and was hit while batting. Junior Jesse Cramer, who was charged for four unearned runs in 4 2/3 innings, suffered his first loss of the season.

The Dukes are now 0-2 in the early season while South Carolina raised their record to 7-1.

The Gamecocks broke out to a 2-0 lead with individual runs in the first and second innings. Duquesne came back to tie the game, 2-2, in the top of the fifth on two unearned runs of their own via an error and a wild pitch. USC tallied two scores in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead 4-2.

The Dukes added a run in the sixth when freshman Steve Maiolo singled home senior center fielder Chad Williams, who had walked.

In the eighth, after USC had extended their edge to 7-3, Rieg scored on a wild pitch followed by junior second baseman Pete Maropis' steal of home to bring the score to 7-5.

The third game in the series will begin at 1 p.m., Sunday, one half an hour earlier than scheduled because of travel considerations.