Le Moyne baseball started off both April and conference play the right way by going 2-1 this past week at two tough opponents. The squad dropped their first game against Upstate Challenge rival St. Rose but came back strong to sweep two games at Assumption.
After just coming off a five game losing skid, the Dolphins struggled once more against St. Rose pitcher Coby Schwartz in the 6-1 loss.
Junior third baseman Max Nagelsmith recorded a single and a double in the game to provide two of the three total hits by the Dolphins. Dylan Swetman added a single as well. Sophomore Trey West drove in the ‘Phin’s only run on a sacrifice fly, scoring senior Nate Reynolds.
The 6-1 loss was taken by junior lefty Ryan Davis in six innings of work, where he struck out 10 batters. Davis registers an average of 7.75 strikeouts per game this season.
Looking to recover from the loss, Le Moyne took to Assumption where their offense exploded in the first game. Freshman catcher Matt Buroni started off the game’s scoring with an RBI double to right center in the second inning.
With the score being 1-0 heading into the fourth, the Dolphins took advantage of opportunities and timely hits to plate six runs and bring their lead to 7-0.
Junior Jeremy Mathers singled in Buroni for the first run in the inning and then stole second to allow Nagelsmith to score the Dolphin’s third run of the game. Swetman, West and Reynolds also drove in runs in the inning, each on singles.
Assumption fought right back, driving in four runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a few quiet innings, the Le Moyne bats got back to work, driving in two runs in the seventh and four more in the ninth. Batters in the lineup from spots five through eight were a combined 11 for 19, including an impressive four-hit performance by West.
Although they had won, their challenge against Assumption was not quite over. The nightcap of the game went swimmingly for the Dolphins once again, as they handily defeated the Greyhounds 5-3.
Freshman starting pitcher Damian Powers took to the mound for a strong complete game performance. He gave up three runs on seven hits while also recording five strikeouts in his nine innings of work.
The offense was back in action once again as they came back from an early 1-0 deficit. The deficit was erased easily by a booming two-run double by freshman Tyler Schmitt in the second inning. Reynolds and West scored on the play. The Dolphins continued to chip away and added one more run in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single by Swetman to drive in freshman Austin Bouse.
With Assumption constantly fighting back, the score was tied at three apiece heading into the seventh inning. The Dolphins pulled away by scoring two runs on a double by sophomore Pat Wright and a sacrifice fly by West. These two runs were all they needed, as Powers finished off the rest of the game without giving up a run. This marks the third win for Powers this season.
Despite being 8-14 on the season, this road trip gives the ‘Phins some confidence heading into the thick of the season. The Dolphins will begin their home games against NE-10 foe Pace University this upcoming Saturday and Sunday for a three game set.
