Clippers get walk off win in a split series with the Rams

Box score Game 1

Box score Game 2

The Clippers hosted the Philadelphia University Rams in a double header.  Peter Denyssenko was given the ball in game one for the Clippers.  Denyssenko started the game off as he struck out the first two batters.  The Rams got two hits in a row to get on the score board first before the Clippers shut them down in the inning. 

The Clippers struggled at the plate to start off their offensive game and would see their first hit of the game until the second inning.  A two out single to left center field from David Perlleshi kicked off the hitting for the Clippers.  Greg Conway followed Perlleshi's single up with a single to left field to move Perlleshi into scoring position.  The Clippers unfortunately could not capitalize and it was back to the defense for the Clippers. 

The Rams threatened to score in the next several innings including the top of the third where the Rams loaded the bases with one out.  Denyssenko got himself out of trouble as he struck out the next two batters to keep the Rams at one.  The Rams scored two more runs in the top of the sixth and then added one more in the seventh to go ahead 4-0 over the Clippers.

A single to third base from Difre Reyes started the bottom of the eighth for the Clippers.  An error by the Rams second baseman allowed Reyes to move to second and Mike Sciacchitano to reach first.  A balk from the Rams pitcher moved both Reyes and Sciacchitano ninety feet closer to crossing home plate.  John Pliego hit a sacrifice fly to right field scored Reyes.  Donnie Roth stepped up to the plate and hit a two out single up the middle to score Sciacchitano and put himself on base for the Clippers.  TJ Walsh was up next and with one swing Walsh hit the ball over the left field fence for a two run home run and to tie the game up for the Clippers.

The Rams tried to go ahead in the top of the nineth as after a double to left field was picked up and the runner was thrown out at home plate after a relay throw from Mike Sciacchitano (Clippers left fielder) to Donnie Roth (Clippers short stop) to Greg Conway (Clippers catcher). 

The Clippers started the bottom of the nineth as David Perlleshi singled to second base.  A sacrifice bunt from Greg Conway moved Perlleshi over to second and into scoring position.  Difre Reyes singled to right field and the Clippers had runners on the corners.  Unfortunately a double play ended the inning and the game headed into extra innings. 

The Rams threatened once more in the tenth inning but were stopped at home after Anthony Carnacchio (Clippers centerfielder) threw out a runner at home.  The game continued on through the eleventh inning.

In the bottom of the twelfth inning John Pliego led off with a single to center field.  Donnie Roth moved Pliego up to second with a single to through the right side.  A ground out by TJ Walsh moved both up into scoring position.  Billy O'Connell came up next and hit a walk off single through the right side to score Pliego and the Clippers defeated the Rams 5-4 in the first game.

Keith Malanga picked up the win for the game after pitching the last three innings.

Game two, the ball was given to Eric Skutch.  After the first batter for the Rams was hit by a pitch Skutch settled down and only allowed one run in the first three innings of work.  The Rams then extended their lead to 3-0 over the Clippers in the fourth inning after scoring two runs off of two hits. 

The Clippers struggled through the first four innings as the Rams pitcher was going perfect not allowing a hit or even a baserunner on the bags.  In the bottom of the fifth with two outs the Rams perfect game was spoiled.  A single to right center field from David Perlleshi ended the perfect game.

After the Rams scored one more run in the top of the sixth the Clippers went on a doubles spree.  With two outs Anthony Carnacchio doubled to left field.  John Pliego traded places with Carnacchio as he doubled up the middle to score Carnacchio and the Clippers were finally on the board.  A double to center field from Donnie Roth allowed Pliego to score.  A double to left center field from TJ Walsh score Roth and the Clippers were trailing by one. 

The Rams answered back with two in the top of the seventh and then added one more in the eighth to take a 8-3 lead. 

A single up the middle by Mike Sciacchitano led the bottom of the eighth inning off.  Anthony Carnacchio hit a single to right center field allowed Sciacchitano to get all the way to third.  John Pliego hit a single to center field to score Sciacchitano.  Unfortunately the Rams shut the Clippers down from that point on and the Clippers fell to the Rams 4-8 in game two.

David Perlleshi hit 4 for 9 for the day followed by Donnie Roth hitting 4 for 10 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI's.  John Pliego hit 3 for 9 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI's.  Conway and O'Connell led defensively as they 26 and 15 putouts respectively.

The Clippers will head to Caldwell College tomorrow for a double header that will start at 3:00pm.