As the weather warmed up in the D.C. area, the GW baseball team’s bats also heated up, producing 21 runs in two games this week. On Wednesday, the Colonials beat local rival George Mason 11-5 and Tuesday they routed Norfolk State 10-1.
“Offensively we are getting more comfortable at the plate,” head coach Steve Mrowka said. “We are doing a better job with our at-bats and we have run the bases better.”
Wednesday, senior ace Dan Sullivan won his fourth game of the season, allowing three runs over five and two-thirds innings. Relievers Joel Brookens and Dan Pfau pitched the final three and one-third innings, allowing just two runs.
“I am very proud of our pitchers,” Mrowka said. “They had some tough outings early in the year and they could have very easily sold-out on what our coaches were saying. But our guys stayed focused on what they needed to do and worked hard.”
Senior leadoff hitter Brad Rosenblatt (2-for-3) hit a two-run homer in the third inning to put the Colonials (16-10) up one run. The home run was his eighth this season, which leads the team.
“We were hitting him in the four hole in the beginning of the season but I moved him up so he could showcase his speed,” Mrowka said. “He’s not your typical leadoff man, he is a lot like Rickey Henderson because he can hit home runs and he has wheels.”
Leading 3-2 in the fourth, the Colonials’ bats exploded for eight straight runs over the next three innings. Senior catcher Joe Michalski (2-for-4) hit a two-run home run in the sixth to put GW up 5-2.
Senior Ryan Roberson went 3-for-4, scored three times and drove in one run in the victory.
Tuesday, the Colonials pounded Norfolk State (8-25), behind Rosenblat’s five RBI. Rosenblat went 2-for-4, including a three-run homer during the Colonials six-run third inning.
Freshman hurler Brian Frazier allowed just one hit over five innings and picked up his third victory of the season. Relievers Derek Haese, Justin Prinstein and Nate CasaGrande combined to allow just one hit and one run in four total innings of work.
GW returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader against Atlantic 10 champion St. Bonaventure (11-8, 2-4 A-10) at Barcroft Park.
“It’s going to be a great weekend for baseball and if we play good defense we should have a chance to win all three games,” Mrowka said.
