For the second time this season, Towson got over a bad loss by putting it on Delaware State, using a pair of long balls to power their way to a 6-2 victory. But this game was highlighted by a couple of fantastic pitching performances.
The Hornets struck first, scoring two runs in the opening frame on two walks, a double, and a groundout, aided by a wild pitch. After that inauspicious beginning, though, it was all Towson. Specifically, it was all Josh Seils and Mason Anderson. As much as I love mining nuggets of positivity out of mines of despair, these are the types of games I can’t wait to sink my teeth into. Let’s jump right in.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Positive Pixels
- Freshman Josh Seils got his second start today and turned in the best performance of his college career. After that shaky first inning, Seils shut down the opposition for the next four frames to earn his first win. He finished five innings on 85 pitches by pounding the bottom of the strike zone, inducing 11 ground ball outs. Seils throws with an easy, consistent delivery that produces solid velocity. Listed at 6′ 2″, 170 lbs, it’s hard not to dream on what this right-hander could become as he, and his game, mature.
- Following Seils was redshirt junior Mason Anderson, who had not pitched in a game since March 30. It was well worth the wait. Anderson, who missed most of the last two years with injuries, matched his career high with four innings and only allowed two baserunners, one hit and one hit batter. He struck out three and had a nifty 3/1 GO/AO ratio, picking up his first career save. Anderson got the win in the first Delaware State game. He must hate Hornets.
- Craig Alleyne stayed hot, knocking in two runs. It’s the fourth straight game he’s had at least that many and the junior now has 11 RBI on the season, after coming into April with, uh, none.
- That’s a nine game hitting streak for Billy Lennox, who is now hitting .282 on the season after getting three hits today. Lennox scored two runs today and has crossed the plate in three straight games.
- Fellow senior Logan Burke had himself a day, racking up three hits, including a double and his first home run of the year. Burke drove in three runs, doubling his season total.
- Richard Miller got on base twice and scored both times. Thanks to being plunked a couple of times on otherwise hitless days, Miller, a junior, has now been on base in 10 consecutive games.
- Freshman catcher Aaron Brush got his first collegiate start and nearly had his first hit, before it was changed to an error. He did throw out his first attempted base stealer, so kudos! Brush is from Minnesota and I’m curious to learn how he became a Tiger. The Towson website says he is 6′ 1″ and 215 lbs, which is already great size for a catcher, but I’ve also found him listed at 6′ 2″ and, frankly, he looks like he might be carrying another five to ten pounds of muscle. Regardless, he is clearly a big, strong, guy and, as you can see on this video from last year, he appears to be fully on-board with the fly ball revolution that’s sweeping baseball. I’ll be keeping an eye on Aaron Brush.
The Watch List
Richie Palacios, SS – 3-4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR. Palacios got Towson on the board with his eighth homer of the year in the third inning. The junior has just been a consistent force all year long. He has also shored up his defense and this was his eighth game in a row without an error. Except for a hiccup in mid-March, Palacios has been as steady with the glove as he has been with the bat. And on the bases. He is really good.
Dirk Masters, 2B – DNP
David Marriggi, P – DNP
Michael Adams, P – DNP
Highlights
0:00 – Richie Palacios homers in the third inning, scoring Towson’s first run.
0:15 – Craig Alleyne singles in the third inning, driving in two and taking second on the throw. I’ve mentioned it a couple of times in the last week, but notice how frickin’ fast Alleyne looks.
0:29 – Logan Burke doubles in the fifth inning.
0:43 – Palacios doubles in the sixth inning.
0:54 – Logan Burke’s seventh inning home run to put the game away.
Up Next
Towson returns to conference play when they travel for three games this weekend against University of North Carolina Wilmington.
