Mullen, Taylor Lead SJU Baseball Past Temple, 4-1

AMBLER, Pa. - Kyle Mullen was outstanding on Friday afternoon, allowing a single run on four hits while fanning seven as the Saint Joseph's baseball team took the series opener from Temple, 4-1, at Skip Wilson Field. Kevin Taylor was 3-for-3 with a run scored and a run batted in as well.

Saint Joseph's (17-30, 7-12 Atlantic 10) never trailed, taking the lead right out of the gates when Taylor ripped a two-out double to center to score Mike Coleman, who led off the game with a base on balls.

The Hawk lead doubled in the top of the fifth as Brett Tiagwad led off with a single, stole second base, and then went to third on a fly ball to right. With two outs in the frame, Temple catcher Will Remillard attempted to pick Tiagwad off at third, but his throw sailed away and allowed the Hawk center fielder to score.

A similar play an inning later doubled the Hawk lead once again as Remillard sent a pickoff throw into left field with the bases loaded, plating Taylor and Greg Kumpel to extend the SJU lead to 4-0.

Ryan Ferguson led off the bottom of the seventh with his 10th home run of the year to give Temple (23-25, 3-16 Atlantic 10) its lone run of the game.

Ryan Kemp came in to throw a scoreless ninth and notch his third save of the season in his team-high 22nd appearance.

Mullen allowed just the one run on four hits and a walk over eight strong innings to improve to 6-5. He has thrown 83.1 innings this season, the 10th-most innings ever thrown by a Hawk in a single season. His seven punchouts on Friday give him 60 for the year, putting him within striking distance of the top 10 in that category as well.

Ben White (4-8) was strong in defeat for the Owls, tossing a six-hit complete game. He also struck out seven and allowed just one earned run.

The teams will return to Skip Wilson Field on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. start.