Showing only an unearned run on five hits through six innings off Adam Moore yesterday, visiting Calvert Hall got five hits and as many runs in the top of the seventh and held on for a 6-4 victory over Chesapeake-AA.
The No. 5-ranked Cardinals (1-1) broke up a close game with Dan Sorrells' two-run triple that highlighted the decisive rally. It spoiled the No. 7 Cougars' opener for the second straight season.
"I think we have a good hitting lineup, but we're still not hitting on all cylinders yet because we have a few internal problems we're still trying to work out," said Cardinals coach Joe Binder.
Sophomore right-handers Josh Kozoil and and Mike Santmyer held Chesapeake to one run and no hits through six innings. Then Phil Personett led off the bottom of the seventh with a hit to right that led to three runs.
Gossman came on to get the final out and preserve the victory after a bases-loaded triple by Bo Danton made it 6-4. Gossman caught Lenny Switala looking at an 0-2 fastball on the outside corner for the final out.
"Our two sophomores threw really well today and Brent Gossman is only a junior, probably our No. 1, and he came in and got the out," Binder said.
It was a bitter defeat for Moore, the Cougars' hard-luck ace. Moore was 3-3 as a junior, with his losses coming to the top three teams in the metro area -- No. 1 Arundel, No. 2 Severna Park and at No. 3 Calvert Hall by 2-0 in Chesapeake's opener last spring.
"I was waiting for this game all year and it was a heart-breaker," said Moore, a right-hander who has received a scholarship to Division II NAIA Shepherd College (W. Va.).
"I had stuff [about Calvert Hall] all over my walls in my room at home. All I wanted was this game and it's a shame that I had to screw up."
Moore was brilliant until the seventh, when an error on the first batter led to the five runs. Through six innings, Moore shut down the Cardinals on 66 pitches, 50 of them strikes. He struck out eight.
A one-out error by Cougars shortstop Mike Bois in the sixth preceded three infield hits, the third by Gossman to score Sorrells and tie the game at 1. Chesapeake had scored its run without a hit in the third inning on Switala's fielder's choice that brougt home Tim Byer, who had walked to lead off the inning.
Calvert Hall catcher Gordon Stebbings led off the seventh by drawing a walk and designated hitter Fran Stefanski lined a single to right-center on a hit-and-run that sent Stebbings to third.
Moore, who said he still had good stuff but got his "pitches up," held the runner at third on a come-backer and threw to first for an out, Stefanski taking second.
Nate Barker then topped one to third baseman Jesse Palmisano, who didn't have a play, and Stebbings slid home to make it 2-1 Calvert Hall. Sorrells then drilled a hit over Danton's head in center to score a pair.
Pub Date: 3/23/99