WASHINGTON, Pa. – Junior shortstop Jacob LaDuca (Clarence, N.Y./Canisius) delivered a two-run walk-off single to push the Washington & Jefferson baseball team past La Roche by a 4-3 score Monday evening in non-conference action at Ross Memorial Park. 
 
Fueled by strong pitching efforts from the team's starters, the nine-inning game was played at a brisk two-hour pace under unseasonably warm conditions for early March in Western Pennsylvania. 
 
The Presidents opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. The Red and Black took advantage of an error, as Drew Garth (Glenshaw, Pa. / North Hills) reached on a throwing error with one out. Following a walk to Nolan Lutz (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette), the Presidents plated the game's first run as Scout Zaas () smacked a ground-rule double to score Garth. 
 
W&J added to its lead in the bottom of the third inning. LaDuca opened the frame with a single and later scored on a two-out RBI single up the middle by Zaas. 
 
That was plenty of support to back a strong pitching effort by junior righty Dante DiMatteo (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel). DiMatteo limited La Roche to one hit over five scoreless innings. DiMatteo struck out five and walked three. 
 
Freshman right hander Thomas McLaren (Mars, Pa. / Mars Area) turned in three scoreless innings of relief in his first collegiate appearance. McLaren struck out one, walked none and allowed three hits during his outing. 

La Roche graduate student Casey Jones was able to limit the Presidents' ability to add to their lead. Jones, farmiliar with the Presidents from his days at Saint Vincent, allowed just two runs in seven innings of work. 
 
The Presidents appeared poised to record the shutout victory, after retiring the first two Redhawks hitters of the ninth. 
 
However, La Roche recorded consecutive singles to put the tying runs on base. The next Redhawks' hitter sent a single into center field, which was misplayed, allowing both base runners and the hitter to score on the play. The play was a stunner for the Presidents, who now trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the ninth. 
 
That is when a slew of pinch hitters helped the Presidents set up shop. Three-straight Presidents reached base with one out to load the bases. Sophomore Josh Dezenzo (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) singled to right center while junior Nate Hess (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) followed with a single of his own. Andrew Colaizzi (Washington, D.C. / Jackson-Reed) then worked a walk to load the bases. 
 
That turned the lineup over to LaDuca with one out. Following a pitching change by La Roche, the senior turned on the first pitch and sent it down the left field line for the game winner. 
 
Zaas and La Duca combined to account for five of the nine W&J hits and all four RBI. Zaas went 3-for-4 with three RBI. LaDuca went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. 
 
W&J returns to action with a three-game series versus SUNY Brockport on March 9-10.