Nov. 28, 2005
The Georgetown University baseball team played its annual Blue vs. Gray series this fall at Shirley Povich Field. The four-game series took place over two weekends in October. The Blue team, led by assistant coach Matt Bok, went into game four with the series lead, 2-1. However, the series finale saw the Gray team, led by assistant coach Mark Van Ameyde, tie the series at 2-2 with a 2-1 victory. With the tie breaker based on run differential, the Gray team took the 2005 series by outscoring Blue by four runs. Below please find a recap of the four series games.
Game 1
Blue 5, Gray 4
Blue got on the board in the second inning, when Tim Jones, who reached on a single and stole second, scored on an error by the first baseman Ryan Craft.
Mark McLaughlin led off Gray's half of the fourth with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on an error by Matt Harrigan at first base. Joe Graziano hit into a fielder's choice, allowing McLaughlin to come around to score and tie the game at 1-1.
On a solo homerun by Drew Dargen in the bottom of the fourth, Blue took the 2-1 lead.
Blue extended its lead in fifth when Tim Jones hit a two out two run double off the left field wall to drive in Greg Pustizzi, who had singled, and Matt Bouchard, who reached on a walk as Blue took a 4-1 edge.
In the top of the sixth, Gray got two runs back. Ryan Craft singled with one out and then scored on Joe Graziano's triple. Graziano came around to score on a Brandon Davis single to give the Blue squad a 4-3 lead.
Blue scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth off two Gray defensive errors to take a 5-3 lead.
Gray put together a threat in the seventh when Derek deGrijs scored on a bases loaded walk to Graziano. Gray had bases loaded with one out, but Blue pitcher Drew Dargen got Davis to pop out and Matthew Maranges to ground out to end the threat and the game.
McConnell earned the win and Burns got the loss. Dargen was credited with the save.
Pustizzi and Jones each had two hits, while Dargen hit the game's only home run. Jones also had two RBI and a stolen base for Blue.
Davis had two hits for Gray and Graziano had two RBI.
Blue lead series 1-0
Game 2
Gray 7, Blue 2
Gray started the scoring in the third inning, when Nick Barnicle led off with a single before stealing second and scored on a one-out single by Stephen Burns.
Blue tied the game in the fourth when a double by Bouchard drove in Jones, who had singled to leadoff the inning. The game was tied at 1-1.
Gray took the lead back in the bottom half of fourth, 2-1, Craft hit a leadoff single, stole second and third, and scored on passed ball.
Blue tied it on a wild pitch in the sixth. Dargen doubled with one out and then tied the game at 2-2 on the wild pitch.
Gray blew the game open in their half of the sixth. Craft led off with a single, followed by walks to Graziano and Davis, and with one out and the bases loaded, Barnicle laid down a squeeze bunt to score Craft. The play was mishandled by the third baseman allowing Graziano to score.
Sean Baumann then singled in Davis, and Burns singled to plate Barnicle. Baumann scored the fifth run of the inning on a deGrijs fielder's choice.
Andy Ferich earned the win, striking out six while allowing four hits, while Mike Hoy took the loss.
Baumann and Burns had two hits apiece. Burns also had two RBI. Craft and Barnicle each scored twice. For the Blue team, Bouchard had two hits.
Series tied at 1-1
Game 3
Blue 5, Gray 4
Blue scored three runs in the first. Pustizzi singled with one out, and then Dargen was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Jones doubled both runners home before Jones scored on a two-out single by Matt Harrigan.
Gray got two runs back in their half of the third to take a 3-2 advantage. McLaughlin led off with a double and scored on error. And deGrijs scored with two outs on a wild pitch.
In top of the fourth, Gray tied it at three when with two outs, Burns scores on a McLaughlin single.
In the top of the seventh, Gray wrestled the lead back, 4-3 when Craft walked with one out before stealing second and scored on a RBI double by Graziano.
Blue immediately answered in bottom of seventh with a two out rally. Rob Begin singled in a run to tie the game and Pustizzi followed with single to drive in Begin with the winning run.
Scott Eastment got the win in relief and Burns suffered the loss.
Begin and Pustizzi led the Blue team with two hits each and Jones added two RBI.
McLaughlin paced the Gray team with two hits.
Blue leads series, 2-1
Game 4
Gray 2, Blue 1
Gray took the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Graziano singled, stole second and scored on a double by Davis.
Blue tied the game at 1-1 in the sixth on a two-out, bases loaded infield single by Begin.
Kelly Muir started the rally with a one-out single. Pustizzi followed with a single and Eastment walked to load the bases.
Gray earned the win in the bottom of seventh. Graziano started the inning with a single, Davis followed with a single allowing Graziano to advance to third. With one out, Barnicle won the game and the series for the Gray team with a single to plate Graziano.
The Gray team was lead by Graziano and Davis who each had two hits. Graziano also scored both runs.
Begin and Muir had two hits each for the Blue team.
Kevin Lundquist worked in relief for the win while and Darren Sizemore gets the loss.
Gray ties series at 2-2 and wins Blue vs. Gray series on run differential.
