Barons Drop Season Opener to Rio Grande

Franciscan University of Steubenville opened up the 2009 baseball season on the road with a double-header against Rio Grande University. The Barons lost both games to the Red Storm 9-4 and 2-0.

In the first contest, the Red Storm asserted dominance early when Tyler Plumpton took Barons starting pitcher Steve Daly long on the second pitch of the game. Daly's struggles continued as he gave up two more runs in the first and three more earned runs in the second to make the score a quick 6-0. Franciscan's defense was lethargic, giving up two errors also in the second inning.

The Barons got on the board in the third when shortstop Anthony Pontarelli drove in left fielder Ryan Marrow on a fielder's choice. Franciscan picked up speed in the fifth notching in three more runs with second baseman Steve Jagla, first baseman Kevin Marrow, and third baseman Nathan Cain all driving in runs. But it wasn't enough as Rio Grande scored two more runs to finalize the first match at 9-4. Daly (0-1) absorbed the loss, giving up 9 hits and 9 runs in 5 innings of work. Sam Quillen gave up a hit in 1 inning of relief. Jesse Brown snagged the win for Rio Grande.

Franciscan found consistent pitching in the second game out of Cain who went the distance in a tough 2-0 loss. Cain (0-1) pitched well giving up only 2 runs off 4 hits with one strike out. Ryan Marrow was the one bright spot offensively for the Barons, going 2-3. Anthony Pontarelli went 1-4 with a double while Robert Penate went 1-3 with a single for the only other hits for Franciscan. Angel Santiago was the winning pitcher for Rio Grande, who now stands at 5-4 on the season.

FUS (0-2) will play Rio Grande again on March 1 in another double-header.