STEVENSON, Md. – Kyle Fackler's three hits and four RBIs spearheaded 23 unanswered runs from Elizabethtown in a 23-6 victory at Stevenson Wednesday afternoon.
Stevenson would score the first run of the game on Troy Miller's RBI double in the bottom of the first, but the Blue Jays (11-4) responded with six runs in the second, seven in the fourth and another five in the seventh to blast their former Commonwealth Conference foe.
Fackler's two-run double in the top of the second started E-town's biggest offensive onslaught in six seasons. Brennan Snyder and Frank Canuso, who both walked along with Austin Kibler to load the bases, scored on Fackler's hit –the first of six for the visitors in the inning.
After Mustang starter Arik Fenstermacher lost Alex Holbert with his fourth walk of the inning, Tyler Weary punched a double to the gap in right to score Kibler and Fackler for a 4-1 lead that ended Fenstermacher's game just 1.1 innings in.
Luke Gatti continued his tear at the dish with an RBI single and Weary scored on a wild pitch. Gatti went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Weary also drove in three, while Holbert and Sean Jones collected two apiece.
Thirteen players registered at least one hit, as the Blue Jays racked up a season-high 19. Stevenson (4-7-2) did itself no favors, blowing through seven pitchers and issuing 14 walks. The Mustangs' first three pitchers combined to allow 18 runs and 12 walks in 4.2 innings.
Elizabethtown took full advantage and was able to get many reserves some much needed innings. Junior infielder Parke Martin went 2-for-3 off the bench with two of the Jays' six doubles.
Nick Lorenz was 2-for-2. Tyler Buskirk, Robert Sanders III and Snyder all got their first career hits. Buskirk and Snyder also knocked in their first career runs along with Kibler and Luiny Monegro.
Not to be lost in the offensive madness was a fine outing from junior Nick Gulla, who earned the victory after scattering eight hits over six innings. The Lansdale Catholic product yielded a single run and struck out four.
Josh Kwak was perfect in 1.2 innings of relief. Zachary Karasek and Joseph Williams made their first appearances of the season for the Blue and Gray.
Elizabethtown's 23 runs were its most since a 34-3 win over Massachusetts Maritime March 1, 2009, and the first time it's scored 20 runs going back to March 22, 2001, against Penn State Harrisburg.
Billy Small and Miller combined for five hits and five RBIs to lead Stevenson's offense.
The Blue Jays will go for their 12th win of the season tomorrow when they travel to Franklin & Marshall for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.
E-town will wear gold shoelaces during tomorrow's game along with the Diplomats as part of the Go4theGoal's Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer campaign. Money generated from lace sales will support kids with cancer in the local community. For more information on the initiative read Thursday morning's release at etownbluejays.com.
