WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senior Brody Lindsey (Monrovia, Md. / DeMatha Catholic) roped a two-run double as part of a tie-breaking five-run seventh inning that lifted the Lycoming College baseball team to a 10-3 victory in game one of a Landmark Conference doubleheader against the Catholic University of America, who came back to take game two, 6-1, on Saturday, March 21 at Talbot Field.
Lycoming (8-11, 1-5 Landmark) took a 3-0 lead in the first, which was highlighted by seniors Josh Bottger (Wilkes-Barre, Pa. / Wilkes-Barre Area) and Nick Reeder (Montoursville, Pa. / Montoursville Area) executing a double steal, with Reeder swiping the plate, and an RBI double from junior Eric MacCluen (Downingtown, Pa. / Bishop Shanahan).
Those were the only Warrior runs in the first six frames, as Catholic (11-7, 2-4 Landmark) pulled within one on a two-run double from Sammy Burman in the third, then pushed across the tying run on a fourth-inning groundout.
The score remained 3-3 until the seventh, when senior Sean Perkins (Berlin, N.J. / Eastern Regional) broke the deadlock with a two-run single to left-center. Reeder laid down an RBI bunt single to bring a third tally, before Lindsey capped off the five-run frame by slicing a double to right that scored two more. Lindsey and Bottger each drove in runs on ninth-inning groundouts to get the Warriors to double digits.
Junior right-hander Alex Halbert (Laurel, Md. / Atholton) turned in a quality start with three runs on nine hits over six innings, striking out two and issuing no walks as he moved to 3-0 on the season. Sophomore Lex Nelsen (Freehold, N.J. / Freehold Township spun two perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts and senior Joel Inman (Berlin, N.J. / Eastern Regional) tossed a scoreless ninth to nail down the opener.
Lindsey had two hits and three RBI, while Perkins had two hits and two RBI in the contest. Reeder added two hits, two runs, an RBI, and a stolen base. Five Warriors posted two-hit games as part of a 13-hit attack.
In the nightcap, the Cardinals took the lead with a pair of unearned tallies in the second. Another miscue aided Catholic in doubling the lead in the fourth, with two more runs coming home to make it 4-0.
Perkins got the Warriors on the board in the fifth with a double to right that brought in sophomore Kaden Shay (South Williamsport, Pa. / South Williamsport Area) on his third hit and RBI of the day.
The Cardinals responded with a run in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Senior right-hander Jake Wilber (Toms River, N.J. / Toms River South) allowed three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings for the Warriors. Senior right-hander Rick Trapanese (New Egypt, N.J. / New Egypt) spun 1 1/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts and senior Treyson Green (Celebration, Fla. / Windermere Prep) threw a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout in relief. Senior AJ Llorente (Williamsport, Pa. / Montoursville Area) had two hits in the nightcap as part of a four-hit day.
Jack Bateman had two hits and two RBI for the Cardinals, who also received five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts from starter Jack Dufficy. Catholic allowed just four hits in the second contest.
The Warriors and Cardinals will match up in a Sunday afternoon rubber game at Talbot Field. First pitch for the series finale is schedule for noon.
