Feb. 26, 2011
Box Score
DAVIDSON, N.C. - The Lafayette baseball team took the field for the first time season on Saturday, playing a twin bill against Ohio and Davidson in Davidson, N.C. The Bobcats took game one from the Leopards, 8-4, and the Wildcats claimed a 14-2 decision in the nightcap. Senior catcher A.J. Miller drove in three runs in the double-dip.
Senior right-hander Zach Fritz (0-1) took the ball in game one, surrendering six earned runs on 12 hits in five innings of work. He tallied four strikeouts and issued one free pass. Senior centerfielder Rob Froio had two hits and a stolen base for the Leopards.
Ohio got the board in the first inning with three runs on four hits. The Bobcats would add another trio in the bottom of the fourth frame to build a 6-0 lead before Lafayette on the board in the next half-inning. Freshman second baseman Eric Anderson was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then moved all the way around to third base on a failed pickoff attempt. He would dash home on a wild pitch on move the score to 6-1.
Ohio added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, taking an 8-1 lead into the ninth. Freshman outfielder Andrew Santomauro was hit by a pitch to start the frame, then advanced to second as Froio reached safely on an error. After a pair of flyouts left the Leopards with just one out left, Miller singled to right field to plate both of his teammates. Junior outfielder Bobby Fargnoli followed with a double to plate Miller, but Lafayette would get no closer in an 8-4 loss.
Freshman southpaw Connor Ortolf relieved Fritz and allowed two runs on two hits in three innings. He struck out two batters and walked three.
Tyler Stage (1-0) earned the win for Ohio. Stage worked the final 4.1 innings in relief of Matt Robin, who left with a lead but came one out short of working the minimum.
Senior left-hander Corey Shea (0-1) got the start in the nightcap and worked five innings. He allowed three earned runs on four hits. Shea struck out nine batters, walked four and hit one.
Lafayette got on the board first in game two against Davidson sophomore shortstop Kevin Casey singling up the middle and coming home on a Miller double to right centerfield. The Wildcats took that run back in their first at-bat without the benefit of a hit as three walks and a hit batsman - sandwiched around three strikeouts for Shea - plated the tying run.
Scott Kelleher put Lafayette back on top with an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning. The sophomore's base hit plated senior Matt Fenster, who led off the frame with a base-knock. After the Wildcats knotted the score at 2-2, unearned runs sank the Leopards as two Davidson runs crossed the plate in both the sixth and seventh innings without the benefit of a hit. A seven-run eighth capped the game as the Wildcats pulled away for a 14-2 win.
Ian Horkley pitched the first six innings to earn the win for Davidson. He allowed two runs on four hits to even his record at 1-1. Andy Bass pitched three perfect frames of relief to notch his first save. Chris Boyce, Ethan Perro, Jack Rems, Derek Gussaroff and Joe Leo came out of the bullpen for the Leopards.
Lafayette wraps up action in the Tar Heel State tomorrow with a 1 p.m. rematch against Davidson. Opening Day at Kamine Stadium is slated for March 2, as La Salle comes to Easton for a 3 p.m. outing.
