John Carroll built a four-run lead in the latter stages of its game at Washington & Jefferson College, only to have the lead slip away in what became a 9-8 loss in a non-conference affair Tuesday evening in Washington, Pennsylvania.

Box Score

JCU trailed 4-3 entering the top of the eighth inning but came up with five runs to take an 8-4 lead. JCu loaded the bases and drew a pair of RBI walks from John Skomra (Buffalo, NY, Canisius) and Brian Benander.

Matt Lindenberger (Erie, PA, Cathedral )looked to be the big hero when he singled home two more runs to stretch the advantage to 7-4. John Hastings (Pittsburgh, PA, Fox Chapel)added an RBI hit to push John Carroll's margin to four runs.

The host Presidents responded with a four-run five-hit inning in the bottom of the eighth, plating the tying run on a one-out fielder's choice.

The Blue Streaks put a pair of runners on base in the top of the ninth but could not drive in the go-ahead run. Neil Pascarella would cap the Washington & Jefferson comeback when he led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off home run.

Hastings, Ryan Pacyga (Forest Park, IL, Nazareth Academy)and Mike Carbo (Coral Springs, FL, J.P. Taravella)all had three hits for John Carroll, which actually outhit the Presidents this afternoon, 14-12. Carbo also contributed two runs and two RBI to the attack.

The victory improves Washington & Jefferson's record to 2-0, while JCU slips to 5-4 on the season.