WINCHESTER, Va.- The Immaculata opened the NCAA Winchester Regional on Friday afternoon as they took on Christopher Newport University. The Mighty Macs (29-12) fell to ninth-ranked Christopher Newport (32-9) 9-2 in front of a strong crowd at Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium.
The Mighty Macs were led today by centerfielder Frank Margiotta who was 2-for-4 with three stolen bases out of the leadoff spot. Margiotta's third stolen base of the game in the second inning was his 32nd of the season, which was a new IU program record for stolen bases in one season. Shortstop Steven Theisen was 2-for-4 with an RBI single for the Macs. Rightfielder Justin Klemick was 2-for-4 as well.
Jason Hughes (9-2) took the loss on the mound. Hughes went five innings, allowing eight hits, six earned runs, five walks, and three strikeouts to raise his season total to 98.
Immaculata opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. Frank Margiotta led off with a walk and stole second base. Joey Wright then singled to center to score Margiotta. Wright would come around to score on a single to left field by Steven Theisen to give the Mighty Macs a 2-0 lead.
Jason Hughes was able to work out of a jam in the bottom of the second inning. Christopher Newport loaded the bases with one out. Hughes was able to get a strikeout and a fly ball to left field to end the inning.
Christopher Newport got on the board in the bottom of the third inning. The Captains would use a pair of RBI singles, a two-run double, and a sacrifice fly to take a 5-2 lead.
The Mighty Macs threatened in the top of the sixth inning, as they loaded the bases with one out to chase Captains starter Dylan Webber. Margiotta hit a fielder's choice to third that Anthony Sasso was forced out at the plate. Joey Wright grounded out to third as the Macs stranded three runners on base.
Derek Andrada took over on the mound for Jason Hughes in the bottom of the sixth inning with a runner on first.
The Captains would extend their lead to 7-2 with a two-run home run in the sixth inning.
In the top of top of the seventh inning, the Mighty Macs got a leadoff walk and Steven Theisen reached on an infield single to third. The Macs were unable to capitalize as Ryan Struble grounded into an inning-ending double play.
"I thought we had a chance to grab a hit in a key spot, it did not happen." said Head Coach Josh Copskey. "To their credit, they are a strong offensive club, and their pitcher threw well."
The Captains would close out the scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning with another two-run home run and would go on to win 9-2.
"We got to go ahead and get this thing turned around." concluded Copskey "We have to be ready to go and bounce back."
Immaculata will now face the host Shenandoah in an elimination game tomorrow morning.
"We are going to need a lot of energy tomorrow." said Steven Theisen.
"We got to be ready to go," said Frank Margiotta. "If we did not think we could win, we would not be here. That is what championship clubs do, they fight."
Up Next:
The Mighty Macs will be looking to keep their season alive when they play No. 3 ranked Shenandoah University in an elimination game tomorrow at 10:00 AM. The Hornets (38-8) fell to The College of New Jersey 22-9 on Friday. The winner of this game will advance to play again at 5:00 PM versus the loser of the Christopher Newport versus The College of New Jersey game.
