Lions drop home opener to St. John’s

Columbia baseball was relieved to step onto home turf at Robertson Field for the first time in 2009 yesterday afternoon following a difficult 17 games on the road. Nevertheless, the Lions were unable to emerge with a win at the home opener against St. John’s University as they lost the ballgame 2-1.

Senior Joe Scarlata started on the mound for the Lions and freshman Eddie Medina was given the ball for the Red Storm. After a scoreless first, the Red Storm struck in the top of the second on a one-out, two-hit rally. Freshman designated hitter Joe Panik slapped a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a bunt-single to first base by senior Carlos Del Rosario. Senior Gino Matias then hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Panik to give the Red Storm a 1-0 lead. Scarlatta finished the first inning but was replaced by sophomore Max Lautmann. Columbia used nine pitchers over the course of the game, who each threw for just one inning.

The Lions threatened in the bottom of the third as Medina walked Billy Rumpke, Jon Eisen, and Dean Forthun. However, the squad failed to capitalize on the bases-loaded opportunity as senior Ron Williams struck out looking on a 1-2 count.

The Light Blue retaliated in the fourth starting with a single to centerfield that was ripped by senior third basemen Mike Roberts. Designated hitter Jon Tasman followed with an infield base-hit and Roberts made his way to third on a costly throwing error by Red Storm shortstop Matt Wessinger. Freshman Anthony Potter grounded into a double play that plated Roberts to even the game at one run apiece.

Junior relief pitcher Derek Squires was called upon to record outs in the top of the fifth inning, marking the fifth Lion pitcher used in the game at that point. St. John’s, however, didn’t waste any time responding to Columbia’s effort as it tacked on another run. Squires surrendered a triple down the right field line on a 0-2 count to junior catcher Joe Witkowski to start the inning. Sophomore Scott Ferrara brought his teammate home on a gaping single to put the Red Storm back on top of the Lions 2-1. Squires recovered quickly with three quick outs, but the damage was done.

Down by one entering the bottom of the ninth, St. John’s called on junior relief pitcher Ryan Cole to save the game and he did just that. After walking Roberts, sophomore Christ Meininger pinch-hit for Tasman and grounded out to the pitcher as Roberts advanced to second. With the tying run on second, sophomore Bobby O’Brien pinch-hit for Potter and smacked a sharp line drive to shortstop who then doubled up Roberts at second for an unassisted double play.

Squires was charged with the loss in the disheartening effort and drops to a 0-1 record on the season. Medina, who stuck out three batters while only allowing four hits and one run, was awarded the win and improved to a 3-1 record. Cole picked up his first save of the season for shutting out the Light Blue in his one inning of work. The Lions offense ultimately lead to their demise as they totaled zero RBI while striking out seven times on the day. However, the team’s bullpen was impressive as seven of nine pitchers threw shutout innings.

Columbia will begin Ivy League play on Saturday, March 28, when they face Harvard in a double-header starting at 12 p.m.