AUBURNDALE,
Fla. – The Delaware Valley University baseball team drops both games in day one of spring break trip.
Game 1 vs. St. John Fisher University
The Aggies and the Cardinals had two scoreless innings to begin their opening games at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Auburndale, Florida. In the top of the third, the Aggies had bases loaded with two outs, but could not produce a hit, leaving three runners stranded. After a pop-fly to
Reese Hackett in center field, a Cardinal batter homered, giving them a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third.
After a scoreless fourth inning, another Cardinal homered in the bottom of the fifth inning, adding two runs to the 1-0 lead.
Connor Esbenshade started on the mound for the Aggies, pitching five innings allowing three runs on two hits, while striking out five.
After two Aggie walks in the seventh inning and a Cardinal pitching change,
Nate Ludwick reached first base on a fielder's choice hit, advancing
Braedyn Kormanic to third base. Kormanic gave the Aggies their first run of the weekend after scoring on a pass ball. The Cardinals scored two more runs on one hit and one error, increasing their lead to 5-1. The Aggies had bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning but could not get a ball in play once again. After another Cardinal home run and double, two more runs would be added to the score. The Aggies took the loss in game one, 7-1.
Game 2 vs. Utica University
The Pioneers from Utica University scored one quickly after their first batter was hit by a pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly to
Liam Martin in right field. After a scoreless first inning for the Aggies,
Jared Ecenroad started off with a walk in the bottom of the second inning but scored on a home run from
Andrew Schneider, giving the Aggies a 2-1 lead.
After two scoreless innings, the Pioneers scored three more runs in the top of the fifth on three hits and two errors. The Aggies fought back, scoring two runs of their own.
Gavin Migliori started the rally off with a single and scored on a hit from
Reese Hackett. Another Aggie run would cross home plate after an error was made on the Pioneers' third baseman. The score was tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth.
Derek Cannon pitched five innings for the Aggies, only allowing six hits and four runs. He also struck out four.
After Cannon was replaced on the mound, the Pioneers scored two more on two hits in the top of the sixth inning. After two more Aggie walks, Migliori doubled to tie the game at six a piece. Once again, the game did not stay tied for long after the Pioneers scored five runs on six hits during the top of the seventh inning and another three runs in the top of the eighth inning. The Aggies would take home their second loss of the day, 14-6.
The Aggies' next game is Sunday March 9
th, where they face Fitchburg State College at 7:00 p.m.
