SPORTS
Baseball Earns Opening Series Win Against Lafayette
Freshman Pete Bloomberg pitched three innings of relief in the Wildcats third game of a weekend series against Lafayette. The Cats won the series 2-1.
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson baseball split its Sunday doubleheader to conclude Opening Weekend, defeating Lafayette 2-1 in the first contest before dropping the finale 6-3 at Wilson Field.
Freshman Alex Mardiney safely slides under the Lafayette throw to reach second.
Sophomore Brett Centracchio blasted the first home run of the 2018 campaign, redshirt freshman Alex Mardiney recorded a 3-for-4 day in Game 2, and senior Cam Johnson and sophomore Justin Lebek each collected two hits in the first contest.
GAME 1: Davidson 2, Lafayette 1 (8 innings)
In what was slated to be a seven-inning affair, the Wildcats came out victorious in extras, scoring on a walk-off single from redshirt sophomore Ward Coleman. Coleman has the unique distinction of also recording a walk-off against the Leopards in 2016.
The game was tied until the sixth, when three straight singles put Lafayette on the board. The lead was short lived, as the ‘Cats presented trouble right away. Centracchio walked and advanced to second on a hard infield single from junior Eric Jones. Both moved up on a bunt single from Lebek to put bases loaded for Coleman.
Sophomore Eric Jones is hit by a pitch in the Wildcats’ third game against Lafayette.
He connected for a fly ball to right, looking for the sacrifice. Every runner moved up, including Centracchio coming home. Although it was ruled that he left early, the ‘Cats maintained momentum, with Jones coming home courtesy of a wild pitch.
Things remained knotted up at the end of seven, and Jones played the hero again, scoring on Coleman’s single through the left side gap.
Senior Evan Roberts got the start, working six innings and picking up a strike out to end four consecutive frames, finishing the day with six. Junior Austin Leonard picked up the win.
GAME 2: Lafayette 6, Davidson 3
The Wildcats wasted no time getting on the board in the finale, as Centracchio launched a ball soaring over the right field wall.
The Leopards quickly responded, evening the score via a double and sacrifice fly. They then took the lead in the fifth, taking advantage of a walk, stolen base, wild pitch, and sacrifice to plate the go-ahead run. They added insurance with a solo shot to left center to take a 3-1 lead.
Senior Alec Acosta ripped a standup double in the Wildcats third game of a 3-game series with Lafayette.
Davidson battled back, evening the score once more in the bottom of the sixth. The duo of Centracchio and Jones were at it again, as the former walked, took second on a wild pitch, and went to third on a left-side gap single from the ladder. After Jones himself advanced on a wild pitch, Lebek fired a ball hard back to third base, sacrificing himself to bring in Centracchio.
Jones then scored his fourth run of the series, coming home after Mardiney chiseled out his third hit of the day, slicing the ball back up the middle.
The ‘Cats ran into trouble in the top of the ninth, as the Leopards took advantage of two errors and pounded out three hits, including a double to the wall, to plate three runs and avoid the sweep.
Freshman right-hander Pete Bloomberg was impressive in his debut, tossing three innings of relief where he allowed just one walk and fanned four.
Catcher Eric Jones holds onto the ball after a collision with a Lafayette player. The umpire called the runner out for the end of the inning play.
UP NEXT
Davidson continues its homestand, welcoming fellow 2017 NCAA Super Regional participant Wake Forest for the first of a two-game series. First pitch slated for 6 p.m.
Spring is here. The Wildcats are playing baseball at Wilson Field, and the trees are in bloom.