Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. - Stevenson baseball junior Scott Merkel (Hampstead, Md./Calvert Hall) had a career-high four hits and four RBIs, but the Mustangs could not capitalize on six Catholic errors and a ninth-inning rally came up short as they fell on the road Tuesday at Talbot Field, 7-6.
It was the most RBIs for Merkel since driving in five in game one of a doubleheader at Frostburg State on Mar. 25, 2012 in an 8-4 victory.
The Mustangs (22-14) scored first when senior Matt Bratter (Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive) knocked in junior Tom Goulian (Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon) on an RBI double down the right field line in the first inning.
The Cardinals (25-12) would respond in their half before Merkel would plate Goulian and senior Josh Morris (Gambrills, Md./Arundel) in the third to take a 3-1 lead.
It would be the last lead for Stevenson as freshman starting pitcher Matt Myers (Frederick, Md./Thomas Johnson) gave up three runs in the third and was responsible for the two in the fourth inherited by senior Andrew Haab (Glen Burnie, Md./Old Mill).
In 3.2 innings of work, Myers allowed six earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two.
Merkel was able to drive in sophomore Troy Miller (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) to pull Stevenson within two at 6-4 in the fifth.
Senior Tim Pyle (Silver Spring, Md./Covenant Life) was brought on in relief of Haab and pitched a scoreless eighth.
In the ninth, Goulian reached second on a throwing error followed by a Morris single for runners at first and second. Miller singled and Goulian scored on another throwing error to make it 7-5.
Bratter reached on an error while sacrificing to represent the winning run. Merkel then grounded into a double play which allowed Morris to score to bring the Mustangs within one.
Freshman Davis Grove (Ellicott City, Md./River Hill) pinch hit in Stevenson's final at-bat and was caught looking at strike three to end the game.
Catholic used eight pitchers on the afternoon to pick up the nonconference victory, as they have already clinched the top seed in the upcoming Landmark Conference Baseball Championship.
Stevenson travels to Reading, Pa., Friday for their final three-game Commonwealth Conference series against Albright with first pitch at 3:30 p.m.
