George Washington catcher Joe Michalski hit a dramatic walkoff three-run home run to lift George Washington to a 6-3 win over Temple in a critical Atlantic 10 Conference matchup with playoff implications.
With runners at the corners and one out in the bottom of the seventh, Michalski sent a Matt Powell (Holland, Pa/Council Rock) pitch over the center field fence to give the Colonials a much-needed victory.
Greg Conden (7-4) went the distance for George Washington allowing just four hits while striking out seven. Powell (2-8), who pitched well in defeat, was hurt when he allowed three runs in the second inning, all with two outs, although just two runs were earned.
The Owls took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when catcher, Jeff Roma (Endicott,NY/Union-Endicott) hit a home run over the center field fence.
The Colonials then came back and put a three spot on the board, all with two outs. Chris Barry singled to center and stole second to get the rally going. Jeff Fertitta doubled in a run and scored on a double by Tony Dokoupil. Following a passed ball, the eventual hero of the game, Joe Michalski singled through the left side to score Dokoupil.
The Owls tied the game in the fourth. With one out, Rob Cucinotta (Drexel Hill, Pa/Monsignor Bonnor) singled. John Quigley (Bensalem, Pa/Bensalem) doubled to put runners on second and third. Following an Al Roach (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) sacrifice fly, Roma singled in Quigley to tie the score.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh. Chris Barry led off the inning with a single and was wild pitched to second. Following a groundout that sent Barry to third, Dokoupil walked with one out, setting the stage for Michalski's heroics.
The two teams will conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m.
