JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Lafayette baseball opened its 2024 campaign, dropping its season opener to East Tennessee State 27-7 on Friday at Thomas Stadium.
 
The Bucs jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first inning, scoring on a three-run home run and an RBI-double by Cameron Sisneros, along with RBI-singles by Noah Gent, Cody Miller and Nick Iannantone. 
 
The Maroon and White responded with two runs in the second after senior Blaze Fadio and senior Justin Grech reached base to start the frame. Sophomore Ethan Swidler hit an RBI-double down the right field line that scored Fadio. On the next pitch, Grech scored on a wild pitch by ETSU starter Landon Crumbley, making the score 9-2.

The Bucs' bats continued to stay hot, scoring two more runs in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by JD Yakubinis and an RBI-ground out by Miller, to bring the score to 11-2.   
 
ETSU added two more runs in the fifth and the sixth, and another seven runs in the seventh, to extend its lead to 22-2.
 
In the eighth, Lafayette added five runs, as freshman Teddy Cashman blasted his first collegiate home run, while freshman Luke Caucci lined a two-run triple to centerfield, scoring sophomore Charlie Chropuvka and Swidler. Junior Ben Petrone slapped a two-run double down the left field line, making the score 22-7.
 
ETSU scored five additional runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Jace Hyde collected the win for the Bucs, while sophomore Luke Craytor took the loss for the Leopards.

Lafayette is next in action on Saturday, when it continues its three-game series with ETSU starting at 2 p.m.