Feb. 25, 2006
Box Score
LEXINGTON, Va. - Lafayette opened the 2006 season with a doubleheader at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) on Saturday. In game one, Lafayette trailed 7-5 going into the bottom of the ninth. The Leopards scored one run, but stranded the game-tying run on third and lost 7-6. Game two was called due to darkness with VMI leading 5-4 going into the top of the ninth at Patchin Field.
In the second inning of the series opener, the Leopards churned out a pair of runs when Tom Hayes plated Tom Ambrosole and Mike Raible on a single up the middle. The 2-0 lead lasted until the fourth inning.
VMI (6-3) managed single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, despite only one base hit in the two frames. Lafayette starter Matt Revelle walked three batters, hit two batters and was charged with a throwing error to account for the pair of runs as VMI took a 3-2 lead at the end of the fifth inning.
Lafayette responded with three runs in the sixth inning to take back the lead, 5-3. Three straight Lafayette singles loaded the bases and a wild pitch scored a run before Hayes plated another with sac fly. The sac fly sent VMI starter Trey Barham from the game in favor of Michael Bowman. Sophomore Tyler Zeronda singled in another run before the rally ended with Lafayette holding a two-run advantage. Barham allowed five runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in a no-decision.
In the bottom of the sixth inning with Revelle at his early-season pitch count, head coach Joe Kinney opted to call on sophomore Steve Roberts out of the bullpen. Roberts hit a batter and walked a batter before VMI's Chad Rice ripped a three-run home run to hand the Keydets a 6-5 lead.
As the game moved to the seventh and eighth innings, Bowman retired the Lafayette lineup in order. Then, the Leopards made a last stand in the ninth. Hayes doubled and Zeronda singled to leave runners on first and third with no outs. VMI called on Ian Casher who walked freshman Dan Bierce. On ball four to Bierce, the VMI catcher threw down to second to attempt to cut down Zeronda who was running on the play. The ball got away and allowed Hayes to score. Bierce was picked off first for the initial out of the inning. Junior James Conrad pulled a sharp grounder to third for the second out of the game. Travis Smink came on to pitch for VMI and struck out pinch hitter Kevin Reese for the final out of the game.
Roberts took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) in three final three innings while Revelle pitched his way to a no-decision with three runs (two earned) on four hits over five innings. Bowman (2-0) threw 2.1 innings in the victory while Smink got the save.
Offensively for Lafayette, Hayes finished 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI, while Ambrosole was 3-for-4 with a double.
The continuation of Saturday's second contest will begin in the top of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Raible and junior Dave Drechsel have each cranked out two RBI apiece in the game, but Lafayette trails 5-4. Ted Gjeldum is the pitcher of record, having thrown six innings while allowing four runs. Junior Brian Cope was on the mound when the game was suspended due to darkness. The conclusion of that game will be followed by the final game of the weekend set. Lafayette is scheduled to send junior lefty Matt Kamine to the mound while freshman righthander Chris Henderson (0-0) will take the hill for VMI.
