Something wasn't quite right with Sunday's doubleheader losses against NAIA No. 8 Brewton-Parker College at Chappell Park.
 |
| Stanton M. Paddock/Asst. Photo Editor |
 |
Senior David VanWinkle was ejected during a seventh-inning skirmish in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.
|
|
As unusual as it was for Baron left fielder Dan Miller to jack the fourth pitch of the first game over the right field wall, Miller's hit was only the beginning.
Records and streaks fell faster than prices at a used car sell-a-thon.
In the bottom of the first inning senior co-captain Ted Karniewicz whacked a single into left field, the 220th hit of his career, a new Eagle record.
"It's a real nice accomplishment for me," Karniewicz said, who broke the record Thursday against Huntingdon College (Ala.). "There's a lot of great hitters to come through here."
In top of the seventh, with the Eagles down 5-3, Head Coach Michael Twardoski was ejected after arguing a call made by the home plate umpire.
The official called a balk on sophomore pitcher Stefan Lollar during a pickoff attempt, and after vehemently questioning the umpire's call, Twardoski was sent to the showers early for the first time in his coaching career.
"That's the first time I've ever gotten thrown out, ever," Twardoski said, shaking his head. "Because [the umpire] can't answer a freaking question. To me, the reason I got thrown out is that he didn't have a reason he called the balk."
The chaos continued in the bottom half of the inning. Disagreeing with a called strike, the Eagle bench voiced its displeasure. Hearing the squad's collective groan, the ump motioned towards the bench and dismissed senior catcher David VanWinkle.
"There were about 12 people standing here," VanWinkle said. "He just looked over here and said 'You're out of here [to me].'"
 |
| Stanton M. Paddock/Asst. Photo Editor |
|
Junior Matt Groninger has held the opposition to a mere .231 average this season.
|
|
Arguing that call, first base coach Chuck Lusted approached the plate. He too was ejected.
"It was just a mockery," Twardoski said.
Left without two coaches and its starting catcher, Emory could not muster up a late-inning comeback, losing 6-3.
Fueled by the controversy of the first game, the Eagles came out with greater determination.
Karniewicz partially credits the Eagles' improved play to the bizarre events of the first game.
"[The ejections] got us going I think," he said. "That just got us even more pumped up."
Despite Emory's effort, Parker pounded junior pitcher Ryan Donegan early, taking a 4-0 lead after three innings.
The fourth inning, though, was a different story entirely. Behind the timely hitting of freshman designated hitter Tommy Lee (1-3, 2 RBI) and freshman third baseman Michael Sayegh (1-3, 1 RBI), the Eagles took their first lead of the afternoon 5-4.
Emory's advantage, however, was short-lived as the Barons' sticks overpowered, giving Parker the 8-5 win. The defeat ended Donegan's 12-game personal winning streak, which dated back to March 23, 1999.
"They're just a good ball club, probably the best we've played all year," VanWinkle said. "You've got to get breaks against a good team and we just didn't get any breaks."
But the Eagles seemed to get all the breaks Thursday when they defeated Huntingdon 17-16 at Chappell Field Thursday.
Senior co-captain Jon Lee captured the victory for the Eagles in just over an inning of work.
Karniewicz (four RBI, three runs), sophomore left fielder Kyle Foster (one RBI, four runs) and junior shortstop Allan Rigell (two RBI, one run) dominated at the plate.
It was Karniewicz's third hit of the day that gave him the career hits record surpassing the previous mark of 215 held by Brad Wands ('98C).
Although its three-game winning streak came to a sudden stop Sunday, Twardoski focused on the games' positives.
"I think it was a good gauge to show that we can play with just about everyone," Twardoski said. "I know that they're two losses, but we played a very good team [Sunday]. On the other hand, it's disappointing to get the two losses."
