WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University played strong against Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on the second day of the 2022 Bison Baseball Classic being hosted by GU at Hoy Field. The Bison trailed 7-2 but came back to take a 9-7 lead before the visiting Tigers scored six runs late to win the nine-inning game by four runs, 13-9.

The game was scoreless until RIT (2-0) grabbed a quick two-run lead in the third inning. GU (1-5) bounced back when junior Darren Drolsbaugh (Lansdale, Pa.) and senior third baseman Winston Lane III (Brooklyn Center, Minn.), who both reached base after they got hit by a pitch, scored on RBI single by junior Austin Sliva-Wynne (Richmond, Texas) in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game up.

GU had to chip away at RIT's 7-2 lead and made progress on the deficit when sophomore Salvador Diaz (Norwalk, Calif.) blasted a three-run home run to center field in the fifth inning. The Bison followed that frame up with a four-run sixth inning.

Freshman Johnathan Guerrero (Indio, Calif.) hit a single in the bottom of the sixth while RIT's pitcher walked Drolsbaugh and Lane to load the bases. Guerrero scored on a pass ball and the Tigers loaded the bases once more when they issues a free pass to Diaz. Austin Sliva-Wynne made the most of the opportunity with a two-run single to plate Drolsbaugh and Lane. Sophomore Josh Dugan (San Antonio, Texas) singled home Diaz as Gallaudet took a two-run lead, 9-7 after six innings.

GU was unable to hold the 9-7 lead in the top of the eight as the Tigers scored five runs on two hits and two errors and added an additional run in the ninth.

Drolsbaugh (0-2) threw a strong seven-innings as he allowed nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits (one home run), two strikeouts and one walk.

BISON TRACKS

• Diaz and Sliva-Wynne both had three RBI, a game-high
• Diaz has hit home runs on back-to-back days in the Bison Baseball Classic
• Muhlenberg defeated Cazenovia in the first game of the day by 10 runs, 13-3

UP NEXT
The third and final day of the Bison Baseball Classic takes place Sunday, Feb. 27, as Muhlenberg and RIT play at 10 a.m. followed by Muhlenberg against Gallaudet at 2 p.m.