SWARTHMORE (Pa.) – The Delaware Valley baseball team hit two homeruns and overcame an early deficit to earn a 4-2 road triumph at Swarthmore College, and give head coach Kyle Fleming his first NCAA victory.
Fleming was promoted to head coach in January after serving as an assistant for one year under his predecessor Kyle Lindsey. He has the Aggies at 1-1 after today's win, and will take the team to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a three-game set over spring break.
DelVal handed the Garnet their first loss of the season as they fell to 2-1.
Swarthmore put the Aggies down in order in the top of the first and used a two-out double to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the frame. After Max Roffwarg hit a lead-off single, clean-up hitter Matthew Silvestre laced one to the gap in right-center to score Roffwarg from first. DelVal starting pitcher Dalton Moore limited the damage by getting a ground out to third base to end a bases-loaded threat.
First-year Anthony Martino gave the Aggies the lead with his second collegiate hit, a two-run home run to left center field that plated Reese Hackett and made it a 2-1 game.
Needing a shutdown frame, Moore got a strikeout and a double play with the help of Martino and third base to preserve the lead.
The Green and Gold added to their lead in the fourth as Blake Ramos beat out an infield single, stole second, and came around to score on a two-out double to left-center off the bat of Jimmy Kelly to make it 3-1. Moore worked out of another jam in the bottom of the fourth as he stranded runners at second and third to keep it a two-run game through four.
Orion Fraley made his first collegiate appearance on the mound in relief of Moore to start the fifth. Frailey allowed a singled and a pair of walks to load the bases, but he got Joe Radek to strike out looking to end the threat. In the bottom of the sixth, Martino started another double play and Fraley got a fly ball to left field to keep it a 3-1 game after six.
DelVal extended its lead in the seventh thanks to a solo homerun from sophomore Kenny Tunnison to make it 4-1, and Fraley got three fly balls to retire the Garnet in order in the bottom of the frame.
First-year Nick Covolus earned a two-inning save for the Aggies after allowing one run on no hits and one error over the final two innings. It was the first career save for Covolus as he made his NCAA debut.
DelVal had seven hits in the game including a 2-for-3 effort from Drews. Kelly, Martino, and Tunison picked up the RBIs. Moore finished with a line of four innings pitched, seven hits and one earned run allowed, and three strikeouts to two walks. The bullpen allowed just two hits over five innings with three strikeouts and four walks.
Silvestre paced Swarthmore with a 3-for-5 effort and an RBI while Roffwarg went 2-for-4 with a run scored. The Garnet did not surrender a walk and struck out 11.
DelVal is slated to take on Centenary University in its opening contest in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, March 4th at 3:30 p.m.
