March 9, 2013
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Lafayette split its doubleheader with Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon at Hawk Stadium. The Leopards fell to the Hawks, 10-3 in the opener, and were victorious in the nightcap, 7-6. Lafayette moves to 1-8 and UMES goes to 2-12. Each game was a seven-inning affair.
Sophomore Zach Gross powered the Leopards with two hits and two runs batted in, while seniors Andrew Ruck and Brad Hopek were both 2-for-4 in the loss. Sophomore southpaw Toby Schwartz (0-3) took the loss in game one, throwing five innings and gave up six hits, five runs, while striking out two and walking four.
In the second game, the Leopards used five runs in the final two innings to sneak past the Hawks. Sophomore Alix Farina went 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits with four strikeouts in a no-decision.
Junior RHP Robert Tatum got the win, pitching one inning and striking out one, while freshman RHP Mitch Leeds earned his first-career save by closing the door in the bottom of the seventh, his lone inning of work.
Gross knocked in two more runs in the win and freshman Tyler Hudson went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Rookie Campbell Lipe and senior Andrew Ruck each brought home runs in pinch-hit situations for the Leopards.
All-Patriot League Preseason selection senior second baseman Kevin Casey went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while freshman right fielder Alex Nickles had one hit, scored twice and worked a walk.
Trailing 6-2 heading into the sixth inning, Lafyette rallied to pull within one with a three-run the sixth inning. An RBI groundout by Gross scored Hudson to start the rally before Lipe singled down the left field line to plate Casey, and Ruck brought home the Leopards' third run of the frame.
Lafayette pushed ahead in the top of the seventh with a two-run rally, started with pinch runner Andrew Landolfi scoring on a wild pitch. Ruck came through again with an RBI single to score Lipe and put the Leopards ahead 7-6. Leeds came in to finish the job and struck out one in a perfect inning.
The Leopards travel to Philadelphia on Wednesday to take on Temple at 3 p.m., followed by a weekend trip to Florida to challenge North Florida.
