Scranton, PA, (April 30, 2006) – Senior Matt Reppert (Allentown, PA/Dieruff) was if nothing else brilliant and the DeSales University offense was if nothing else resilient as the Bulldogs came back from a 4-0 first inning deficit in game one of the Freedom Conference doubleheader at The University of Scranton to win 7-4 and clinch the fourth and final Freedom Conference playoff berth on Sunday afternoon.

 

        If you looked at the box score and saw that Reppert gave up seven hits and four runs you might think he had an average outing but if you look deeper into the game you’d see that five of the six first inning hits he allowed never got out of the infield.  You’d also notice that after the first inning he allowed just three base runners over the final six innings to keep the game close and the offense rewarded his clutch effort with three tallies in the sixth and four more in the seventh to give DSU the final playoff spot.

 

        Scranton (16-19, 8-10 Freedom) had nearly every ball in the first inning glance off its bat and be perfectly placed in the infield for hits.  Chris Psihoules’ hit was the only one to reach the outfield as he flared a single to right field but before you know it the score was 4-0 and the Royals still had the bases loaded with no one out in the first inning after six straight singles and one DSU error.

 

        From this point forward, Reppert was as good as you could imagine.  He got Scranton’s #8 hitter to bounce into a 1-2-3 double play and recorded the final out of the inning on a line drive to shortstop.  The final damage was four runs but Reppert left the bases loaded and the Bulldogs still had hope.

 

        The offense had chances thru the first five innings going in order just once, but was unable to push anything across home plate until the sixth.  Freshmen Mike Pennington (Dresher, PA/LaSalle College HS) and Mike Bianca (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. St. Joseph) led off the frame with singles and the bases were loaded when fellow freshman Matt Johanson (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) drew a walk.

       

        Sophomore Scott Matejicka (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) ended the shutout with a sacrifice fly scoring Pennington and freshman John Pisker (Oley, PA/Oley Valley) doubled to score Bianca.  Freshman Matt Connors (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) knocked in Johanson with an RBI ground out and DSU (20-17, 10-8 Freedom) trailed by just one, 4-3.

 

        Reppert wasted no time sending the offense back into the dugout as he retired the Royals in order for the third time.  Sophomore Andrew Heard (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield) reached base after being hit by a pitch and senior Derek Miller (Green Lane, PA/Upper Perkiomen) singled to give DSU runners on first and second.  A passed ball moved Heard and Miller up one bag and Pennington tied the game with a sacrifice fly scoring Heard.  A single by Bianca scored Miller and Johanson capped off the rally with a two-run home run giving DSU the 7-4 lead.

 

        Reppert allowed a lead-off single in the seventh but got two straight ground balls with the last being a 6-4-3 double play to end the game and sent DSU to the playoffs where they will try to make it seven straight Freedom Conference Championships.

 

        Game two went Scranton’s way as the Royals erased a 5-1 DSU led to win 7-6.  UofS scored three times in both the fourth and fifth innings to earn a split in the doubleheader.