Gophers Break Even Against Mustangs, Seahawks

TOWSON, Md. — Goucher came away from today's two matches against in-state rivals with a split. The Gophers began the day facing Stevenson and pinned a 6-3 setback on the Mustangs, but then they took on St. Mary's (Md.) and bowed to the Seahawks, 8-1.

The Gophers emerged from the doubles competition with a 2-1 lead over Stevenson thanks to wins at No. 1 by Seth Hoesman (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) and John Bescoby (San Marino, Calif./Maranatha) and No. 3 by Pat Murnin (Salt Lake City, Utah/East) and Chad Resnik (Miami, Fla./Pinecrest School). Hoesman and Bescoby defeated Bryan Gieselman and Conrad Ellis, 8-3, while Murnin and Resnik turned back Anthony Carle and Robert Reinhold, 8-1.

Hoesman faced Robbie Baker at first singles and recorded a 6-1, 6-2 victory, boosting his record in the first seven dual matches of the season to 6-1.

Goucher's other three singles wins were also in straight sets: Midori Fujitani (Tokyo, Japan/International School Bangkok) topped Gieselman 6-0, 6-3 at No. 2, Murnin polished off James Bishoff 6-4, 6-1 at No. 5 and William Felinski (Philadelphia, Pa./Science Leadership Academy) downed Reinhold 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6.

The Mustangs (1-2) picked up their two points in singles play at No. 3 and No. 4, and had to go three sets in both matches to come out on top.

The only point the Gophers (3-5) earned in the second match of the day was for an 8-5 triumph by Bescoby and Fujitani over Robert Bishop and Wyatt Paulishak at No. 3 doubles.

The Seahawks (1-2) managed a sweep of the six singles matches, taking five of them in straight sets. At No. 1, Andrew Gear was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Hoesman.

After dropping the opening set, David Spivey (Cockeysville, Md./The Park School) prevailed in the second set of his match against Mark Hardesty at No. 2, but Hardesty bounced back to finish off a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 win.