April 15, 2004
Box Score
Niles, Ohio - Duquesne University's baseball team was finally able to play on Thursday after missing two days of play because of the weather only to see host Youngstown State gain a doubleheader sweep at Eastwood Field.
In the first game, the Penguins rushed out to a 4-0 lead by the end of the third inning on the way to a 4-2 victory, powered by Jim Lipinski's two-run homer. The Dukes scored both runs in the sixth when senior Pete Maropis' (Export, PA / Franklin Regional) walk forced in classmate Luke Taggart (Somerset, PA / Somerset) who had singled. Steve Maiolo (Pittsburgh, PA / Mt. Lebanon), who was 2-for-3 in the opener, drove in the second tally when his single to right center plated senior Dan Schwartzbauer (Glenshaw, PA / Shaler) who had singled earlier. Junior Mike Grecco (Brockway, PA/Brockway) attempted to score from second on the play but was tagged out at home to end the rally.
Junior Mike Korzeniewski (Fredonia, NY / Fredonia / Jamestown CC), who pitched the first five innings, was charged with his first loss of the season, evening his 2004 record to 1-1. Junior Ken Strader (Greenville, PA / Greenville) pitched a perfect inning of relief, striking out two of the three batters he faced. YSU's Eric Shane (1-2) pitched 5 1/3 innings for the win.
Youngstown State's three-run third in the nightcap proved more than enough for the 3-1 win. The Penguins scored their trio on two singles and two walks. Taggart's hit and hustle provided the Dukes' only run, again in the sixth. The Somerset native singled to center to lead off the frame. With one out, he stole second, advanced to third on YSU pitcher Brian Boone's throwing error and then scored on a second throwing error, this one by first baseman Lipinski. Grecco singled on the Dukes' next at-bat, thereby crediting the score as an earned run. Taggart was 2-for-3 on the afternoon with two runs scored, a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt and an outfield assist.
Junior Dave Knechtel (Mercer, PA / Mercer) also suffered his first loss in two decisions. Sophomore Travis Rife (York, PA / Dallastown) pitched three scoreless innings in relief. Boone (1-2), who also pitched 5 1/3 innings, was credited with the win.
These losses dropped the Dukes to 11-13 (4-2 A-10) while the Horizon League squad raised their 2004 record to 9-17 (1-3). Duquesne heads to western Ohio this weekend for a three-game Atlantic 10 series with Xavier (8-23, 1-5) beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 17th at Hayden Field in Cincinnati at noon.
