SPORTS
Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Toledo on Saturday
Junior Greg Lowe celebrates his homerun in the first game of the doubleheader.
DAVIDSON — Davidson and Toledo split two baseball games Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.
The visiting Rockets (4-4) won the first game 13-5, while the Wildcats (5-3) bounced back with an 11-5 win in the nightcap.
Game 1
Toledo had offense and shutdown pitching in its series-opening win.
Junior RHP Charlie King pitched in relief in the first game of the doubleheader.
John Servello’s grand slam highlighted a seven-run third inning, while pitcher Michael Jacob struck out 13 and kept the Wildcats’ bats silent until Justin Lebek led off the fifth inning with a single to left.
All of Davidson’s offense came in the bottom of the ninth, after the Rockets led 13-0. Greg Lowe and Parker Nolan hit back-to-back solo home runs before Ward Coleman and Luke Burton drove in runs with bases loaded walks.
Game 2
Freshman right-hander Gabe Levy was solid in his third appearance and debut start. In six innings, he scattered five hits, allowed one earned run, struck out five and walked one.
“I thought Gabe did a really good job of setting the tone,” said Davidson’s Ruben Fontes. “We were able to get some momentum and go from there.”
Coach Rucker Taylor discusses pitching options during the first game of the doubleheader.
Trevor Candelaria cleared the bases with a two-out double to left in the second inning to give the Wildcats a 3-1 lead. Alex Mardiney’s two-run home run in the sixth made it 8-1, and Fontes’ solo shot in the seventh jumpstarted a three-run inning.
The home run was Fontes’ third of the young season. The key to his performance so far?
“Just the support from the team,” he said. “I know they believe in me, and I want to do well for them.”
Eric Jones finished 3-for-5 at the plate, while Fontes and Matt Frey had two hits apiece.
Dan Spear earned his first save of the year, getting the final eight outs. He entered the game when the Wildcats led 8-5 with one man on base.