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| Mike Schiattarella's perfect game is just the 24th perfect game in NCAA Division III history. Stockton athletics photo |
Auburndale, Fla. –Stockton University (5-3-1) split a seven-inning doubleheader with Western New England University (3-1), dropping the first game 6-5 in extra innings before rebounding with a 9-0 shutout in the nightcap. Mike Schiattarella (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) tossed a perfect game with 14 strikeouts. It was just the 24th perfect game in NCAA Division III history.
Game two was all Schiattarella, who was dominant. In the game, he struck out the first eight batters that he faced and later closed the door by fanning six of the last nine in facing the minimum 21 hitters. The perfect game was the first-ever by an Osprey and the 24th in NCAA Division III history.
Schiattarella earned his second win of the year, tossed his third complete game and lowered his ERA to a minuscule 0.90. The junior has struck out 38 hitters in just 20 innings thus far.
Schiattarella got all the runs he needed in the bottom of the first inning as Perrino and Tommy Talbot (Howell/Howell) singled. Perrino scored on an error for the 1-0 lead. The Ospreys put the game away in the fifth frame with four hits and five runs, with the big blow coming on a Talbot two-run double.
The Ospreys tacked on a trio of runs in the sixth with RBI coming from Giovanni Sciarrotta (Barnegat/Steinert), Elder and Perrino for the 9-0 triumph.
Game one started rough for the Ospreys as the Golden Bears scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning. Stockton clawed back, plating a run in the third on a Robbie Ford (Green Twp./Newton) triple and a John Perrino (Wall/Wall) RBI single.
Stockton scored three more runs in the fourth frame when Dominic Meleo (Freehold/St. Peter's Prep) singled, followed by Ryan Swift (Sewell/Washington Twp.) who reached on an error. A double steal set up a sacrifice fly by Ford to make it 5-2. Tucker Elder (Ewing/Ewing) reached on an error, plating Swift, then Perrino scored the rookie Elder to make it 5-4 in favor of Western New England.
The Ospreys came all the way back, knotting the game in their half of the sixth after Elder reached safely then scored on a Perrino RBI double to make it 5-5 after six frames. Neither team was able to get a run across in the seventh inning, sending the contest to the extra stanza.
Stockton had a great opportunity to go ahead after Elder and Perrino both singled. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners up a base, but the Ospreys could not push across the tally. The Bears then won the game in the bottom of the eight on a pair of walks and a single for the 6-5 win.
Aaron Winsker (Baltimore, MD/Hereford) started the game, tossing five innings and striking out seven, but did not figure in the decision.
The Ospreys will be back at it again tomorrow when they face Stevenson in a single nine-inning contest. Game time is set for 4:30 pm in Auburndale, Florida.