Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Sports Information Baseball Drop season opener after inclement weather postponed the original game.

The Sharks endured a tough start on the opening night of the eagerly anticipated baseball season as they went down 4-2 to Newberry College.

Having had their scheduled season opener against arch rivals Barry cancelled two days previous, the Sharks were determined to get their season off to a positive start.

Newberry found themselves ahead early in the proceedings as they scored three runs on two hits in the top of the first inning off the pitching of Sean Koecheler. The Sharks responded swiftly as they were able to score a run in the bottom of the second inning courtesy of junior first baseman Dusty Maggs, who made it home on a passed ball.

The Sharks added to their total in the very next inning as senior second baseman Eric McCans hit a single and then scored off an RBI double courtesy of senior right fielder Brayan Valencia.

However, the Sharks couldn't cut the deficit as Newberry scored another run in the top of the fourth which would prove to be too much for the Sharks. NSU had a host of chances in the final three innings to claw themselves back into the game but managed to leave a combined eight runners on base through the closing stages.

All-American Valencia led the way for the Sharks going 4-5 with three doubles and an RBI. A host of Sharks contributed with one hit including McCans, sophomore Nikko Echevarria, Maggs, junior Luis Penate and senior Matt Fisher.

Koecheler was attributed with the loss as he allowed three runs on two hits in three innings pitched. Junior Isaac Hicks pitched five innings of relief allowing only one run on four hits whilst he struck out three. Junior Sean Albury pitched the final inning of the match and struck out the side.

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