MOOSIC, Pa. (April 22, 2017) – Senior pitcher Ryan Fitzpatrick fired a four-hit shutout in Game 1, and the Drew University baseball bats exploded in a 17-5 victory in Game 2 as the Rangers swept the first two games of a Landmark Conference series over The University of Scranton at PNC Field, the home of the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.
 
By the Numbers: The offense was at polar opposites in each end of the twin bill, scoring just one run in support of Fitzpatrick's complete game shutout for the 1-0 win. The sweep ups the Rangers' record to 20-11, Drew's first 20-win season since 2012 and third since 2000. The Royals fall to 12-16 overall and 1-10 in Landmark play.
 
Playoff Picture: The picture remains muddy due to the disparity in games played at the top of the table, but the Rangers end Saturday in third place. However, Drew's 7-4 league record is tied for first in terms of the all-important loss column with Susquehanna (10-4), who have three more games played and a series upcoming with the Rangers next weekend. Catholic, who took 2-of-3 from Drew this season, sits in second place at 11-5 with five games in hand.
 
Top Performers
• Fitzpatrick's gem moves his record to 5-1 on the season. He allowed four hits and didn't walk anyone, striking out three batters in his first career complete game shutout.
• Senior first baseman Tommy Broyles drove home the lone run in Game 1, a two-out RBI double in the first inning. He proceeded to bat 4-for-6 with two runs and two RBIs in Game 2.
• Senior center fielder Marc Cohen was the only Ranger to manage multiple hits in Game 1, and finished the day overall 3-for-6 with a run and an RBI.
• Sophomore shortstop Zach Lipshitz led the offensive onslaught in Game 2 by batting 4-for-6 with two walks, three runs and an RBI. Throughout the doubleheader, he was 5-for-7 with four runs scored.
 
Game 1 Highlights
• Fitzpatrick outdueled Scranton starter Bobby Hegarty, who took the hard-luck loss after allowing one run, five hits and a walk over his complete seven innings with three strikeouts.
• Fitzpatrick worked three-up, three-down innings in the second, fourth and seventh.
• Lipshitz scored the only run of the game in the first after doubling in the first at-bat of the day at PNC Field.
 
Game 2 Highlights
• Every starter in lineup spots one through nine recorded an RBI in the rout.
• Freshman designated hitter Matthew Lange gave Drew an early 5-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run single to left-center. Lange wasn't retired once in five appearances, going 3-for-3 with two walks, three runs and two RBIs.
• The Rangers led 12-0 in the top of the second after a six-hit, seven-run frame, led by freshman left fielder Max Felsenstein's two-run single, stolen base and run scored.
• Broyles ripped RBI doubles in the fourth and seventh innings, with the latter handing Drew the 17-5 lead.
• Senior right fielder Mike DiDonato did wonders for his on-base and slugging percentages in Game 2 by hitting a double, a triple and walking twice to account for two runs and an RBI.
• Freshman starting pitcher Pete Violante earned the win and moved to 3-2 on the year with four innings pitched, allowing three earned runs. Sophomore reliever Davis Fouts helped hold the lead with two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh.
 
Up Next: The Rangers complete the three-game set on Sunday, April 23 at 11 a.m. at PNC Field.