March 5, 2011
Box Score
BALTIMORE, Md. - The Lafayette baseball team got its first victories of the season in convincing fashion on Saturday afternoon, sweeping host UMBC by scores of 12-3 and 10-5. Sophomore Andrew Ruck drove in seven runs in the twin bill, while senior A.J. Miller was 6-for-8 at the dish with three RBI.
With the sweep, the Leopards improve to 2-4 in the 2011 campaign, while UMBC remains winless at 0-4. Due to the threat of inclement weather, tomorrow's series finale has been cancelled.
Lafayette posted four runs in the first inning of both ends of the doubleheader and never looked back. The Leopards pounded out 33 hits, including nine for extra bases.
Ruck's seven RBI came courtesy of a 5-for-9 day at the plate. He hit three doubles and a triple in the twin bill. Miller had a double, triple and home run on the afternoon. Junior Bobby Fargnoli was 5-for-7 with three RBI and two stolen bases. In total, all nine offensive starters had at least two hits, one RBI and one run scored in the sweep.
Seniors Zach Fritz (1-1) and Corey Shea (1-1) were victorious on the hill for Lafayette. Fritz scattered eight singles in five innings of work in game one, surrendering two earned runs. He struck out five batters and issued just one walk. Connor Ortolf and Ben Meer each worked an inning to close out the seven-inning opener.
Shea allowed 10 hits and five earned runs over five innings in the nightcap. Junior John Gentile took the hill for the last four innings to earn his first save. Gentile allowed only three hits and piled up three strikeouts in a scoreless outing.
As a staff, the Leopards issued just one walk in 16 innings of work.
Due to the cancellation of tomorrow's game, Lafayette does not return to the diamond until Wednesday, March 9. The Leopards trek to Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J., where they will be the visitors on the scoreboard in a neutral-site meeting with Rider.
