It’s amazing how two games, both one run defeats, can feel so different. Yesterday Towson stormed back with five runs in the final three innings and though they were unable to complete the comeback, it felt like they could have if only they had one more inning. But today the Tigers led 7-0 after five, only to watch victory slip through their fingers like a fist full of water, losing to the Ohio Bobcats 9-8. There were no moral victories to take from this one.
It especially hurts because Towson now turns to a segment of their schedule that, on paper, looks soft. A win today could have could have propelled them into that stretch with some nice momentum. Now, instead of feeling like they’d finally pushed that boulder to the top of the hill, that rock has rolled firmly back on top of them. Or to put it in a more eloquent, if less metaphorical, way, losing sucks. And the part that sucks the worst is that, after a certain point, it’s hard to stop doing it. Now is the time for short memories.
Still, that upcoming schedule is marshmallowy. The Tigers play five games this week against opponents who are a combined 5-29. It is entirely realistic that Towson could pick up three or four wins and some much needed confidence before heading into the following series versus the University of Virginia. And there were, in fact, some good things to take from this weekend’s series.
Positive Pixels
- The Tigers stole five bases today and are still perfect (12-12) on the season in that category.
- While control issues continue to plague the Towson pitching staff, the starters are showing some improvement. Gavin Weyman, David Marriggi, and Michael Adams gave up seven walks in 14.2 innings versus Ohio, and while 4.295 BB/9 isn’t a great number, it is basically half of what the staff as a whole has allowed on the year.
- Some of the younger pitchers are also starting to find their way, with freshman Jake Pecilunas pitching a clean inning for his second straight scoreless appearance.
- Mark Grunberg had a hit in each game this weekend. After strong offensive performances his first three years (though he missed most of 2016 due to injury), the redshirt junior was off to a slow start this year. A return to form for the centerfielder would go a long way towards making the Towson offense more consistently dangerous.
- Craig Alleyne had a brilliant diving catch in right field today.
The Watch List
Richie Palacios, SS – 3-4, 1 walk, 3 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double, 2 stolen bases. Palacios and Grunberg twice successfully executed double steals today
Andrew Cassard, OF – 0-3, 2 walks, 2 runs. Though he went hitless, the sophomore outfielder has reached base in every game as a lead-off batter and scored runs in four of five games.
Dirk Masters, 2B – 1-1, 1 walk, 1 run, 1 stolen base. Masters returned to the hit column and also chipped in with another nice play on defense.
Bo Plagge, P – DNP
David Marriggi, P – DNP
Up Next
Towson takes a short trip to Dover, Delaware for a 3 P.M. game Tuesday afternoon versus the Delaware State Hornets.
