March 7, 2004
Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)
TEANECK, N.J. - Lafayette used sparkling pitching performances by Marcus Ward and Tom Soldan to sweep Fairleigh Dickinson in doubleheader baseball action on Sunday. In game one, Ward allowed just two hits in a 4-0 shutout while in the nightcap Soldan did him one better, surrendering just one hit in a 3-0 decision.
In the opener, the Leopards scored all of the runs they would need in the second and third innings. In the second inning, Adam Rosenberg drove in the eventual winning run with a sacrifice fly to rightfield.
Lafayette scored three more in the top of the third inning thanks in large part to a pair of errors by Fairleigh Dickinson. Rosenberg came through again with an RBI-single that scored the Leopards' fourth run of the game.
Ward (1-0) allowed just two hits the entire game, a bunt single in the fourth and another hit in the bottom of the sixth. For the game, Ward struck out four and walked three over seven innings. FDU starter Gregg Pleeter threw all seven innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits with eight strikeouts.
In game two, Lafayette got the offense going in the top half of the fourth inning. Jason Boyd led off with a single through the left side. That set the stage for Adam Bucci who blasted a two-run home run, his first round-tripper of the year.
The Leopards tacked on an insurance run in the sixth inning. Boyd, again, initiated the offense, belting a lead-off double down the leftfield line. A Bucci groundout moved Boyd to third where he scored on Ian Law's RBI-groundout.
Meanwhile, Soldan cruised through the seven-inning victory. He allowed just one hit, a Nick Mauro single through the right side, in the second inning. Soldan (1-0) struck out a career-high 10 batters in the game and walked just one.
Jesse Anziano took the loss for FDU, throwing six innings while allowing five hits and three earned runs. He walked one and fanned seven.
Lafayette (2-4) will open the season at the newly-renovated Class of 1978 Stadium on Wednesday when the Leopards welcome Franklin and Marshall for a 3 p.m. first pitch.
