April 20, 2002
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) -
The Navy Midshipmen snapped an eight-game league winning streak by defeating Lafayette 4-0 in game one and 3-0 in the nightcap in baseball action at Metzgar Field on Saturday. Lafayette fell to 18-14 overall and 8-2 in league play while Navy improved to 14-21 overall and 9-5 in the Patriot League.
The Mids struck first to score two runs in the first inning of game one. Navy's Will Mahan singled to center field allowing Pete Curnow and John Cocca to cross the plate for the 2-0 lead.
Mahan brought in Navy's third run in the third inning when he grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Curnow to score, giving the Mids a 3-0 advantage. Curnow crossed the plate for Navy's fourth and final run in the fifth inning on a fielder's choice for the 4-0 lead.
Navy's Rich McDevitt pitched a complete game for the Mids, striking out three batters and allowing just four hits. Lafayette's James Duer was credited with the loss after pitching five inning, fanning two batters and allowing five hits. Don Smith finished the game, recording a strikeout and allowing one hit.
In game two, both teams were held scoreless through the fourth inning. In the fifth inning, Navy's Curnow doubled to the left side allowing Jason Guidos to score for the 1-0 lead. Curnow was then caught stealing third base to end the inning.
The Mids added two more runs in the sixth inning on a string of Lafayette errors. Navy's Rusty Hearn hit a sacrifice fly to center field allowing Jake Miller to score, stretching the Mids' lead to 3-0.
Navy hurler Andy Froistad held Lafayette to just three hits while fanning three batters in the completed game. Lafayette's Marcus Ward struck out four batters while allowing six hits in seven innings.
Lafayette (18-14, 8-2) returns to action tomorrow for the second half of the Patriot League series at Metzgar Field beginning at 12 p.m.
