HAMPTON, VA. -- Sophomore Sam Massie came in and threw 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to put out a late Bloomsburg University rally as the Apprentice School opened the 2013 season with a 4-3 win over the Huskies in the first game of the Builder Invitational.
Both teams were in control on the mound through the first five innings as the Builders broke the ice with a run in the sixth inning. In the sixth, Trevin Wilson started with a single and stole second before moving to third on a single by Chris Scarola. An attempted steal by Scarola saw the throw go into centerfield allowing Wilson to score for a 1-0 advantage.
In the seventh, the Builders plated two more as Mark Labrador singled and went to third as Chris Perry reached on a throwing error. Stuart Harris singled in Labrador. An attempted pickoff attempt sailed wide at third base allowing Perry to score for a 3-0 lead.
Bloomsburg answered with three runs in the top of the eighth, two of those coming on a two-run single from Brian Almand which tied the game at 3-all. Massie came into the game and got a pair of swinging strikeouts to end the threat.
In the bottom of the eighth, Wilson led off with a double and went to third on a fly out from Chris Aldridge. A wild pitch allowed Wilson to score to give the hosts a 4-3 lead. Massie threw a clean ninth inning for the 4-3 victory.
Wilson, Scarola and Labrador all had two hits for the Builders. Chad Gurganus started on the mound and threw the first six innings allowing four hits and striking out four.
Bloomsburg was topped by AJ Stump, Nickolas Eversole and Brad Smith with two hits each. Casey Cooperman threw the first five innings allowing two hits and striking out four, before making way to Nick Donofry who threw two innings and allowed five hits. Jack Fritz took the loss throwing the eighth inning allowing one hit, one run, with a walk and a strikeout.
Apprentice School will hit the field again on Friday afternoon at noon when they take on NCAA Division II power Kutztown University at War Memorial Stadium.