SPORTS

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Dynamic pitching performances from the junior duo of Allen Barry and Casey Sutherland propelled the ‘Cats to Opening Day victory Friday, where they downed Lafayette 4-0 at Wilson Field.

Barry was sharp for five innings, where he fanned eight and allowed just one hit and a pair of walks in his 2018 debut. Sutherland relieved him and earned the win, putting in four innings of work, scattering two hits and picking up four strikeouts.

Davidson collected nine hits, led by redshirt sophomore Ward Coleman‘s 3-for-4 performance with a run. Senior Cam Johnson added two hits, including a double deep to center field, and also scored.

The ‘Cats left the bases loaded three times during the affair, but were still able to secure the victory thanks to smart base running.

Junior Eric Jones broke the blank in the sixth, scoring on a bases loaded wild pitch. After singling to the shortstop, he advanced to second when classmate Justin Lebek walked, and then took third on a single sent to center field from redshirt freshman Alex Mardiney, the first official hit of his career.

Davidson repeated the process in the seventh; Johnson singled through the right side, moved to second on an Alec Acosta walk, and both advanced courtesy of sophomore Brett Centracchio‘s sacrifice bunt. Johnson then plated his run on a wild pitch to put the ‘Cats up 2-0.

They added two more runs in the eighth, when bases were once again loaded. Coleman singled to center field and took two bases after junior Max Bazin sliced one back up the middle. Back-to-back hit-by-pitches not only loaded the bases, but also brought in the third run of the contest. Bazin then also came home after a walk to Centracchio.

The ‘Cats return to action Saturday for Game Two of the series, slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch.