Drew Blanks USMMA, 2-0, to Reach Championship Round of 2012 Landmark Conference Tournament 

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Fourth seed Drew University used a four-hit shutout from sophomore Alex Taylor to defeat second seeded The United States Merchant Marine Academy 2-0 in the winner’s bracket game of the 2012 Landmark Conference Championship Tournament at Gillespie Field Sunday afternoon.

The Rangers, who are competing in the Landmark Tournament for the first time in the five-year history of the conference, advance to the championship on Monday, May 7 at 11:00 a.m. needing just one victory for an automatic berth to the 2012 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, which would be Drew’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 

The Mariners, who fall to 21-14 overall, will play the host and top seeded Greyhounds in the final elimination game Sunday at 4:00 p.m.  The winner of that game will need to defeat Drew twice to win the Landmark Conference title.

The Rangers, now 21-19 on the season, jumped out to a 1-0 in the top of the first inning.  Junior outfielder Michael Bodden walked to start the game and scored on a two-out RBI single by senior third baseman Pete Tuchol.

USMMA would get the first two runners on base in the home half of the first inning with senior outfielder John Hubach being hit by a pitch and senior outfielder Andy Martin drawing a walk.  Drew starter sophomore Alex Taylor would then get a strikeout and a double play to get out of the inning.

The Mariners would get a runner to second in the bottom of the second when sophomore shortstop Danny Collins singled and stole second base, but USMMA was unable to tie the game.

Bodden singled with one out in the top of the third for Drew but would be caught stealing as the Rangers kept their 1-0 lead.

Drew threatened to extend its lead in the top of the fourth inning.  Senior designated hitter Tom Murray led off the inning with a walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.  Freshman shortstop Steve Kowalski connected on an infield single to put two runners on, and the Rangers would load the bases on an error on a ground ball hit by freshman second baseman Michael Chiarella.  However, USMMA junior pitcher Dustin Thomsen would get a ground out to keep the score 1-0.

The Rangers would extend their lead to 2-0 with a run in the top of the fifth inning.  Bodden doubled down the left field line with one out and moved to third on a wild pitch.  Bodden would beat a throw to the plate on an RBI fielder’s choice to third base by senior first baseman Steve DeBonis.  DeBonis moved into scoring position on another wild pitch by Thomsen.  The Mariners worked out of the inning without allowing another run.

USMMA would get sophomore third baseman Nicholas Kopacka to third base on a single, error and a ground out, but the Mariners were unable to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth.

Chiarella singled with two outs and stole second in the top of the sixth for the Rangers before USMMA would get out of the inning.

The Mariners would be the next team to get a runner in scoring position with Hubach hitting a single with one out and stealing second base.  Taylor would get a ground ball to end the threat and keep the Drew lead at 2-0.

Chiarella would lead off the top of the ninth inning with a single, and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt attempt from sophomore catcher Matthew Kaplon.  USMMA would work out of the inning without allowing a run.

Drew had a 7-4 edge in hits with Bodden and Chiarella each going two-for-four.

Taylor allowed three walks to go with his four hits allowed and seven strikeouts to improve to 5-2 on the season.

Thomsen tossed a complete game for the Mariners, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five batters.