Ferguson Shuts Down Crimson Offense As Engineers Overcome Batsmen, 4-2

It just didn't figure. Everyone knows that the sun sets in the west, engineers carry calculators on their belts, and MIT bows to Harvard in every sport.

Well, not every sport.

The Engineers made the most of six hits yesterday, downing the Harvard baseball team, 4-2, at Soldiers Field. The setback dropped the batsmen's record to 7-10 overall and 2-2 in the Eastern League.

Dead Wood

MIT hurler Dan Ferguson effectively silenced the Crimson bats, except for a two-run Donnie Allard smash in the sixth inning. Ferguson allowed only six hits in litting his season tally to 3-1.

Mike DiChristina drove in all four Engineer scores while hammering two of MIT's six hits. With the score knotted at two in the top of the sixth inning. DiChristina blasted a single off reliever John Sorich, driving in two teammates to give the Engineers their margin of victory.

After Crimson starter Greg Brown walked runners to first and second in the top of the first, the Engineers loaded the bases with a sacrifice bunt: sophomore Gaylord Lyman dropped the throw at first.

With one out, DiChristina debuted his RBI act, singling to give MIT a 2-0 edge. The Engineers threatened to knock Brown out of the box, but the Crimson right handler quelled the uprising and settled down to pitch five score less innings.

Vinnie Martelli brought life to the Harvard offense in the sixth inning with a leadoff single. The junior promptly stole second and took third when the Ed Wilcox throw flew into the outfield.

Allard's homer brought in Martelli and knotted the score at two, but the next three batsmen succumbed to Ferguson's pitching, and Harvard never took the lead.

In the seventh, Al Fordrani stroked a two-out double, and Crimson Coach Alex Nahrgran pulled Brown in favor Sorich. The knuckle-curve artist proceeded to walk the next two Engineers, loading the bases for DiChristina's game-winning hit. MIT  200000200  4  6  2 Harvard  000002000  2  6  3

MIT--Dan Ferguson and Ed Wilcox H. Greg Brown John Sonch (7) and Vinnie Martelli WP--Ferguson (3-1) LP--Brown (0-2) HR--H. Donnie Allard

Team records MIT 5-7, H 7-10

MIT--Dan Ferguson and Ed Wilcox H. Greg Brown John Sonch (7) and Vinnie Martelli WP--Ferguson (3-1) LP--Brown (0-2) HR--H. Donnie Allard

Team records MIT 5-7, H 7-10