University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
  Men's Baseball   
Stories & Highlights
2004
-05 season
 

Smith Hits for the Cycle but Devils Fall to Rams, 14-11 (4/22/05)

Doug Smith went 4-for-6 and hit for the cycle but the Devils gave up seven runs in the seventh inning as the Philadelphia University Rams defeated the University of the Sciences baseball team 14-11 to sweep the season series.

Smith hit an RBI triple in the fourth, a single in the sixth, a double in the eighth and capped off the day with a two-run home run in the ninth inning.

With the Devils leading 2-1 in the fourth, Smith delivered a two-out triple to score Corey Hider (Jr., Lake Charles-Boston HS/ Lake Charles, LA) and later came around to score on Mike Montanero's (Sr., Highland Regional HS/Sewell, NJ) single, making the score 4-1 after four innings of play.

The Rams tied the game at 4-4 with three runs in the top of the fifth and took a 6-5 lead with two more in the sixth. The floodgates then opened up in the seventh as the Rams sent 12 men to the plate, scoring seven runs on five hits - the big blow being a three-run home run by Evan Kiesel, his second of the game. Kiesel finished the game with four hits and six RBI.

Now trailing 13-5 the Devils began to comeback, scoring four times in the eighth inning to make the score 13-9. Hider led off with a single and moved to third on Smith's double. Montanero followed with a double to score Hider and Smith. Gaise Lacek (Jr., Lake Lehman HS/Harvey's Lake, PA) moved Montanero to third with a one-out single and both runners came around to score on Phil Maher's (Fr., Norristown HS/Norristown, PA) long double, making the score 13-9.

The Rams added another run in the top of the ninth before the Devils scored twice more in their final at-bat, courtesy of Smith's 2-run home run, completing the cycle with his fourth hit of the day and making the final score 14-11.

USP falls to 8-21 with the loss. The devils return to conference action this weekend with a three game series against first place New Jersey Institute of Technology. The Devils host a doubleheader at Richie Ashburn Field on Saturday, April 23, 2005 and will play a single game at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - weather permitting.

Devils Drop below .500 in CACC with Loss to Felician (4/20/05)

The University of the Sciences men's baseball team fell below .500 in conference play yesterday dropping a 10-6 decision to Felician College at Richie Ashburn Field in South Philadelphia.

After climbing to .500 over the weekend, the latest in the season that the Devils had been .500 in conference play, USP fell to 7-8 in CACC games and 8-20 overall, slipping to sixth place in the conference standings.

The Golden Falcons scored three times in the first off starter Rene Rodriguez courtesy of a two-run triple by Frank Quintana followed by an RBI single by Kenny Vanderhee.

USP got two back in the bottom of the first and another two in the second to take an early 4-3 lead. In the first Doug Smith (Sr., Middletown HS/ Middletown, PA) drew a one-out walk and later scored on a balk by Felician starter Mike Carrion. The Devils got their second run of the inning as Gaise Lacek (Jr., Lake Lehman HS/Harvey's Lake, PA) singled home Justin DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA). In the second, Ronny Sanchez (Jr., St. Peter's Prep/Union City, NJ) delivered a one-out triple to score Nick Condo (Jr., Monsignor Bonner HS/ Collingdale, PA) and later came around to score on Smith's two-out single.

The lead was short lived as Felician's Quintana homered to lead off the third to tie the game at 4-4. The Golden Falcons added another run in the inning, two more in the fourth and another one in the fifth to chase Rodriguez and give Felician an 8-4 lead.

Felician continued to hold a four run lead until the Devils struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull within two 8-6. Mike DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on Phil Maher's (Fr., Norristown HS/Norristown, PA) pinch hit single. Kevin Hachey (Jr., Gardiner Area HS/Gardiner, ME), pinch hitting for Rich Cipoletti (So., Half Hollow Hills HS West/Dix Hills, NY), walked to load the bases. After Sanchez struck out, Corey Hider (Jr., Lake Charles-Boston HS/ Lake Charles, LA) delivered a two-out double to score DeVincenzo and Maher.

The Golden Falcons got the two runs back in the top of the ninth with three hits, capped off by Kevin Graham's two-run double, making the final score 10-6.

Rodriguez (1-2) took the loss for the Devils who will face Philadelphia University in a non conference game on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at Richie Ashburn Field.

Montanero Stars as Devils Sweep Eagles (4/7/05)

Mike Montanero had five hits and earned both wins pitching as the University of the Sciences men's baseball team swept a doubleheader from CACC rival Post University yesterday, 10-9 and 12-3.

The doubleheader sweep was the first sweep of a conference doubleheader since joining the CACC in 1999 and only their second doubleheader sweep of any opponent since the 2000 season (USP also swept a doubleheader from Philadelphia University last season.) USP improves to 4-15 overall and 3-5 in conference play. Post falls to 1-16-1 overall and 0-5 in the conference.

Montanero (Sr., Highland Regional HS/Sewell, NJ) was 2-for-3 in the first game with a double and two RBI. Mike came on in relief of Dan Fox (Jr., Harriton HS/Narberth, PA) with one out in the seventh and got the last two outs of the inning. In the nightcap, Montanero was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate, with two doubles, a triple and an RBI. On the mound for his first start of the season, Mike pitched five innings, gave up three runs (all unearned), two hits and struck out eight without walking a batter.

In the opener, the Devils had jumped out to a 4-1 lead after three innings. Post however sent 11 men to the plate in the top half of the fourth, chasing starter Rene Rodriguez, scoring seven runs to take an 8-4 lead.

The Devils got three back in the bottom of the fifth to pull within one, 8-7. Corey Hider (Jr., Lake Charles-Boston HS/ Lake Charles, LA) doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on Doug Smith's (Sr., Middletown HS/ Middletown, PA) single. Montanero followed with a double, scoring Hider. Smith later came around to score on a wild pitch and Montanero followed on a sacrifice fly by Ronny Sanchez (Jr., St. Peter's Prep/Union City, NJ).

Two more USP runs in the sixth gave the Devils a 9-8 lead. Chris Longo (Fr., Cherry Hill East HS/Cherry Hill, NJ) started the inning with a single and advanced on Hider's one out single. Smith followed with a base clearing double to put the Devils in front for the moment 9-8.

Post tied the game up in the seventh. Fox gave up a one-out triple to Jimmy Coleman and Tommy Torres reached safely on Hider's fielding error. Montanero came on to pitch and walked the next two batters, plating Coleman with the tying run before getting Mark Rizza to strike out looking and Curtis Anthony to fly out to end the inning.

The Devils won it in the bottom of the seventh as Chip Wukitsch (So., Allentown Central Catholic, Slatington, PA) scored on Hider's two-out bases loaded single to give the Devils a 10-9 win. Wutkisch had drew a walk and advanced on Nick Condo's (Jr., Monsignor Bonner HS/ Collingdale, PA) single. After Longo flied out for the second out, Rich Cipoletti (So., Half Hollow Hills HS West/Dix Hills, NY) walked to load the bases for Hider who delivered the game-winner.

Hider finished the game with four hits, including a double. Smith had three hits while Montanero, Condo and Longo each had two.

In the nightcap the Devils scored five times in the second and three more in the third to take an 8-0 lead en route to the 12-3 win. Cipoletti, Montanero and Smith all delivered two-out doubles in the second inning, driving in four of USP's five runs that inning.

In the third, Condo delivered a one out RBI double and came around to score on Sanchez's single. Sanchez later scored on an infield error to make the score 8-0.

Another infield error by Post produced another USP run to give the Devils a 9-0 lead before the Eagles struck for three runs in the top of the fifth off Montanero. Montanero gave up only one hit in the inning,a one-out single by Tony Arroyo but the Eagles took advantage of three errors by the Devils to score three times and make the score 9-3.

In the Devils next at-bat, it was their turn to take advantage of errors, scoring three times on just one hit, a single by Smith. Post committed two errors and had three wild pitches leading up to the Devils final three runs.

Montanero picked up his second win of the day to go 2-0 on the season, working five innings and striking out eight. Smith went 2-for-4, driving in three runs to pace the Devils along with Montanero (2 doubles, triple).

Next up for the Devils is a three game series with Bloomfield College, starting on Saturday morning, April 9, 2005, with a 10 a.m. single game at Bloomfield's home field, Breslin Field in northern New Jersey. The Devils return home to take on the Deacons in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 10, 2005.

Warriors Sweep Devils (4/6/05)

Philip Maher pitched a complete game, giving up only five hits and two runs but the USP men's baseball team fell to Nyack College 2-0 in the opening game of yesterday's makeup doubleheader at Richie Ashburn Field.

After winning the first game, Nyack scored eight runs in the second inning of the nightcap en route to a 10-2 win, completing the sweep.

Nyack's two runs in the opener came in the third inning as the Warriors strung together two singles a walk and took advantage of a wild pitch by Philip Maher (Fr., Norristown HS/Norristown, PA) to get on the scoreboard. After the third inning, Maher allowed just two hits the rest of the way, both singles, as he shut down the Warriors.

The damage was done however as USP's offense was nonexistent. The Devils got singles from Michael Montanero (Sr., Highland Regional HS/Sewell, NJ) and Phillip Cox (Fr., Riverside HS/Riverside, NJ) in the fourth inning but Montanero was stranded at third as Doug Smith (Sr., Middletown HS/ Middletown, PA) flied out to left field to end the inning. USP had another chance in their final at-bat, putting runners on second and third courtesy of two walks and a wild pitch with two-out. However, both runners were stranded on the bases as pinch hitter Ronny Sanchez (Jr., St. Peter's Prep/Union City, NJ) grounded weekly to Nyack pitcher Chris Bergenn who promptly threw out Sanchez at first to end the game.

Maher (1-2) struck out four in the loss, walking two.

In the nightcap, the Devils took an early 1-0 lead as Mike DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) scored on a passed ball in the top half of the second. The lead however was short lived as USP starter Justin DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) was rocked for eight runs (seven unearned) on five hits in the second before being replaced by Chip Wukitsch (So., Allentown Central Catholic, Slatington, PA), who got pitched to one batter in the inning and got the Devils out of the inning without any further damage.

Wukitsch however gave up two more runs in the third inning as the Nyack strung together three straight hits after a one-out error started things off for the Warriors.

Trailing 10-1, the Devils scored again in the fifth. Sanchez doubled to start the inning, moved to third and Nick Condo's (Jr., Monsignor Bonner HS/ Collingdale, PA) fly out to right field and came around to score on Smith's sacrifice fly to centerfield, making the score 10-2. USP would threaten again in the sixth, putting runners on first and second with nobody out, bringing up Corey Hider (Jr., Lake Charles-Boston HS/ Lake Charles, LA). Hider lined out to the third baseman Jonathon King starting a triple play as both Brett Keenan ( So., Holy Cross HS/Mt. Laurel, NJ) (second) and Gaise Lacek (Jr., Lake Lehman HS/Harvey's Lake, PA) (first) were caught napping off their respective bases, ending the inning. The Devils also got a runner as far as third in their final at-bat but were unable to get him across the plate.

Justin DeVincenzo (1-4) took the loss for the Devils. Montanero pitched the final two innings in relief, giving up just one hit and striking out five.

With the losses, the Devils record falls to 2-15 overall and 1-4 in CACC games.

Next up for USP is a doubleheader at Richie Ashburn field on Thursday, April 7, 2005 against Post University.

Devils Rally to Earn First Conference Win of Season (3/31/05)

The University of the Sciences men's baseball team sent 15 men to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning as they rallied from a 6-1 deficit to defeat Nyack College 11-6 yesterday at Richie Ashburn Field.

The win gave the Devils their first CACC victory of the season and evened their conference record at 1-1. The devils overall record is now 2-11. Nyack fell to 2-7 overall and 0-2 in CACC play.

With the score 6-1 in favor of the warriors, the Devils' Nick Condo (Jr., Monsignor Bonner HS/ Collingdale, PA) led off the bottom of the eighth and reached base on an infield error. Condo stole second and moved to third on Michael Montanero's (Sr., Highland Regional HS/Sewell, NJ) single. Justin DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) then singled to score Condo. Phillip Cox (Fr., Riverside HS/Riverside, NJ) followed with a single to score Montanero. After Chip Wukitsch (So., Allentown Central Catholic, Slatington, PA) struck out, Mike DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) singled to load the bases and bring up the potential go-ahead run in Doug Smith (Sr., Middletown HS/ Middletown, PA). Smith delivered with a single to score Justin DeVincenzo. Corey Hider (Jr., Lake Charles-Boston HS/ Lake Charles, LA) then doubled home Cox and Mike DeVincenzo to tie the game at 6-6.

The Devils however were not finished. Chris Pino (Fr., Hazleton Area HS/West Hazleton, PA) walked, loading the bases again. Condo, batting for the second time in the inning, singled to bring home two more runs to make the score 8-6. Three batters later, Cox delivered a two-out single to score to more runs and make the score 10-6. Wukitsch then singled to score Justin DeVincenzo with the final USP run of the inning. The Devils got nine hits in the inning leading to their 10-run outburst.

The Devils staked the Warriors to a 5-0 lead, giving up three runs in the first, a solo runs in the fourth to chase starter Philip Maher (Fr., Norristown HS/Norristown, PA) and another solo run in the fifth inning before getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth. Cox helped produced the Devils first run, delivering a one-out single to score Montanero.

Reliever Rene Rodriguez (Jr., St. Peter's Prep/Union City, NJ) gave up a solo run in the seventh to make the score 6-1. After the Devils went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Rodriguez held Nyack in check in the top of the eighth, setting the table for the Devils big rally. After the rally, Rodriguez set the Warriors down in order in the ninth to preserve the win.

Rodriguez got the win in relief for the Devils, his first of the season. Cox finished the game going 3-for-5 with four RBI. Montanero also had three hits, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Condo and Hider drove in two runs apiece and Justin DeVincenzo added a pair of hits to bolster the Devils offense.

Next up for USP is a doubleheader against Nyack College on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - weather permitting. The doubleheader, originally scheduled at Nyack will now be played at the Devils home field, Richie Ashburn Field in south Philadelphia.

Golden Rams Defeat Devils (3/30/05)

The West Chester University Golden Rams jumped on USP starter Justin DeVincenzo for five runs in the first inning as they handed the Devils their fifth consecutive loss 15-5 at West Chester's Serpico Stadium yesterday afternoon.

West Chester sent 10 men to the plate as DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) gave up three hits, hit three batters and walked one en route to the Golden Rams scoring five times and erasing the Devils early 1-0 lead.

The Devils got on the board early as Corey Hider (Jr., Lake Charles-Boston HS/ Lake Charles, LA) was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and later came around to score on Michael Montanero's (Sr., Highland Regional HS/Sewell, NJ) single to left field.

West Chester added solo run in the second and third innings to take a 7-1 lead before the Devils scored again in the top of the fourth. Montanero led off the inning with a single and was forced out at second on Philip Maher's (Fr., Norristown HS/Norristown, PA) grounder to third. Ronny Sanchez (Jr., St. Peter's Prep/Union City, NJ) delivered a one-out single and Mike DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) reached base on an infield error allowing Maher to score the Devils second run.

Maher, who replaced Justin DeVincenzo gave up three runs in the fourth on fourth hits to make the score 10-2. Chip Wukitsch (So., Allentown Central Catholic, Slatington, PA) came on to pitch the fifth and allowed four more West Chester runs and Rene Rodriguez (Jr., St. Peter's Prep/Union City, NJ) gave up the last Golden Ram run in the seventh.

The Devils got one back in the eighth and two in the ninth to make the final score 15-5. In the eighth, Chris Pino (Fr., Hazleton Area HS/West Hazleton, PA) led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on Nick Condo's (Jr., Monsignor Bonner HS/ Collingdale, PA) single and came around to score on a West Chester error. In the ninth, Gaise Lacek (Jr., Lake Lehman HS/Harvey's Lake, PA) delivered a pinch-hit single to lead off the inning and Sanchez was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Mike DeVincenzo delivered a double scoring Lacek. Pino then delivered a one-out single to score Sanchez with the final USP run.

With the loss, the Devils fall to 1-11 on the season. West Chester improves to 11-7. Next up for the Devils is a single game at Richie Ashburn Field against Nyack College on Thursday, March 31, 2005.

Devils Open Conference Play with Loss to Wilmington (3/22/05)

The USP men's baseball team played their opening Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) game at Richie Ashburn Field yesterday, falling to the Wilmington College Wildcats, 8-3.

The game was also the first round game of the annual Bill Giles Tournament, featuring the four NCAA Division II teams in the area (West Chester University, Philadelphia University, Wilmington and USP). The winners will play at Citizen's Bank Park in April.

The Devils gave up four runs in the first inning to the Wildcats, who sent eight men to the plate. Singles by Brian Fitzgerald and Joe Class and a double by Derek Pugh along with a pair of USP errors led to the four Wilmington runs.

Trailing, 4-0, the Devils cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs. Nick Condo (Jr., Monsignor Bonner HS/ Collingdale, PA) reached base on a one-out error and advanced on Doug Smith's (Sr., Middletown HS/ Middletown, PA) single. Michael Montanero (Jr., Highland Regional HS/Sewell, NJ) singled, scoring Condo. Smith and Montanero both advanced on the play on an outfield error by the Wildcats, with Smith scoring to make the score 4-2.

Wilmington added solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings to go back up by four, 6-2. The Wildcats scored their final two runs in the top of the ninth inning, getting three consecutive two-out hits of reliever Frank Antosh (Jr., E.L. Meyers HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) to make the score 8-2. USP's Corey Hider (Jr., Lake Charles-Boston HS/ Lake Charles, LA) homered in the bottom of the ninth to make the final score 8-3.

Wilmington banged out 14 hits on the afternoon while the Devils, whose bats have been dormant of late, had a season-high nine hits in 36 at-bats. USP's three runs are also a season high in the 11 games the Devils have played so far this season. Philip Maher (Fr., Norristown HS/Norristown, PA) took the loss for the Devils, pitching eight innings, giving up six runs (one earned) while striking out two and walking two. Maher falls to 1-2 on the season Pete Henyan got the win for the Wildcats, improving to 2-0. Henyan pitched seven innings, giving up two runs and striking out 10.

The Devils fall to 1-10 overall and 0-1 in CACC play. Wilmington improves to 5-8-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Devils start a three game series at home with Post University on Friday, March 25, 2005 with a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday - weather permitting.

Ursinus Defeats Devils (3/16/05)

The USP men's baseball team took to the field for the first time after their spring trip to Florida yesterday afternoon, holding the Bears of Ursinus College to just three hits. However, the Devils came up on the short side of the scorebook, losing 4-1.

USP's lone run came in the seventh inning. Trailing 4-0, Phil Maher (Fr., Norristown HS/Norristown, PA) drew a one-out walk and then stole second. Maher advanced to third on a wild pitch and came around to score on Phillip Cox's (Fr., Riverside HS/Riverside, NJ) single to center field.

Ursinus scored solo runs in the first and fourth innings off losing pitcher Justin DeVincenzo (So., Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes-Barre, PA) and added a pair of run in the sixth off Chip Wukitsch (So., Allentown Central Catholic, Slatington, PA).

Cox had two of the three USP hits on the afternoon, both singles. Maher had the other, also a single.

The Devils fall to 1-7 with the loss. Ursinus improves to 2-9-1. Next up for USP is a road game at East Stroudsburg.

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