First year pitcher Patrick Peterson threw eight hitless innings

JOHN MURROW

The Temple News

Entering his sixth start of the season for the Owls, freshman Patrick Peterson was 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA. His sixth start against Saint Louis on Saturday, March 24 came as a surprise to many, nearly making Temple baseball history.

The Bear, Del. native had a perfect game through 6.2 innings until surrendering a walk in an eight pitch at bat. Through the first eight innings of the game, Peterson gave up no runs and no hits. It was not until the first batter of the ninth when freshman leadoff pinch hitter Mike Vigliarolo doubled to kickoff the ninth.

Peterson was removed after the double, in which he was followed by redshirt-senior closer Brian Sustersic. A wild pitch and a walk lead to a bases loaded, bottom of the ninth scenario in which coach Ryan Wheeler turned to redshirt-junior closer Steve Visnic. A game-winning base hit by junior outfielder Alex Kelly led to a heartbreaking loss for the Cherry and the White.

Peterson’s nearly historic day ended with a stat line of 8.0 innings, one hit, one run, and 10 strikeouts in the 2-1 loss at Saint Louis.

John Murrow can be reached at john.murrow@temple.edu.