Feb. 28, 2012

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Lafayette baseball team dropped a midweek outing at La Salle on Tuesday afternoon, 11-1. James McCooldrove in the Leopards' lone run in his first collegiate at-bat.

With the loss, Lafayette falls to 2-2 on the season. The Explorers even their record at 3-3.Andrew Santomauro and Scott Kelleher each doubled for the Leopards, and Andrew Ruck and Brad Hopekboth stroked a single to account for Lafayette's four hits on the afternoon. Ruck has hit safely in all four games this season.

McCool, who reached on a fielder's choice that drove home Kelleher in the top of the fifth frame, also stole second base in the game's only attempt to swipe a bag.Toby Schwartz made his collegiate debut on the mound for the Leopards. The southpaw took the loss on a scheduled "staff day", allowing four hits and three walks that led to two earned runs over the first three innings. Fellow left-hander Sean McGrathhad the most effective outing of the seven Leopards to toe the rubber. The senior struck out two batters in a hitless seventh inning.

Mark Williams (1-0) got the win for the Explorers. He allowed one earned run on three hits in 4.1 innings of work. Williams walked two batters and struck out two. Mike McLeod got the final eight outs without allowing a baserunner to record his first save.

Jeff Flax was 4-for-4 to lead the La Salle offense, while Jon Gyles and Joe Bennie each drove in a pair. Bennie also connected for the first home run hit by the Explorers and the first ceded by the Leopards this season.

Lafayette returns to Virginia this weekend for a three-game set at James Madison. Kamine Stadium opens for the spring on Tuesday, March 6 against Rider. Please note that next Tuesday's game was originally scheduled to be held at Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J.