ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604040069
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: JOLIET, ILL.
SOURCE: Associated Press
``Robert Morris is still a program in its infancy, and unfortunately [it] is trying to play outstanding competition,'' Delgado said.
Robert Morris, of Corapolis, Pa., was 1-30 in its first season of baseball a year ago and is 0-7 this season.
``I didn't tell our guys to stop swinging,'' Delgado said. ``In a situation like this, you just keep playing baseball. To call off the dogs, so to speak, and strike out intentionally and run slowly I feel would be more demeaning to their players who are trying their best. That we will never do at the College of St.Francis. We will let the other coach make the decision on what he wants to do.''
Delgado approached Robert Morris' coach, Gerald McNamara, after the second inning - St.Francis already had scored 48 runs by then - and said he would be willing to stop the game when he felt it was appropriate. The end came two innings later.
``What else can you ask for than 71 runs?'' said winning pitcher Steve Ochman. ``I would like to get that every game, but that's a little bit ridiculous.''
St.Francis is 7-18, but the school made its eighth trip to the NAIA World Series last season.
A dual member of the NAIA and NCAA Division II, St.Francis sent 30 batters to the plate in the first inning as it scored 26 runs, an NCAA record. The Fighting Saints followed with 22 runs in the second, four in the third and 19 in what became the final inning.
In all, St.Francis set 12 NCAA Division II records and tied four others. In NAIA record books, seven team records were broken, as well as one individual mark. Freshman shortstop Mike Palermo tied the NAIA record with seven hits.
Only 19 of the 71 runs were earned, thanks to 16 errors by Robert Morris.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB