ANNVILLE, Pa. – Starting pitcher Tommy Moore Jr. tossed a gem for the Lebanon Valley College baseball team on Thursday, playing an integral part in the club's 5-3 victory over Alvernia University at McGill Field. The series-opening win is significant for the Dutchmen, as the team clinched home-field advantage in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals and they can clinch the top seed and regular season championship with just one win in Saturday's doubleheader.
Moore Jr. set the tone for the contest, dominating the opposition by striking out five batters in eight innings of one-run ball. The right-hander kept LVC (22-15-1, 17-5 MAC Commonwealth) in the ballgame until its lineup put up a five-run fourth inning, which would prove to be enough to take game one of the series against Alvernia (25-13, 15-7 MAC Commonwealth). Center fielder Ryan Murphy was one of several Lebanon Valley batters that had a productive day at the plate, driving in two runs in the game.
Pitching was the story early on, as both starters limited base runners in the first few innings. Moore Jr. cruised through this scoreless portion of the game, keeping the Golden Wolves hitless until the fourth. The Flying Dutchmen opened the scoring and made a statement in the bottom of the fourth inning, taking a 5–0 lead on a big frame that came with two outs. Third baseman Andrew Miles got things going by lining a single through the left side that got under the glove of the Golden Wolves' third baseman, scoring Logan Brewer. Murphy followed this by driving a two-run double down the left field line, plating Miles and Conor Smith. Right fielder Pete Botbyl then powered a double to right-center field, bringing home Murphy. Shortstop Nico Santoro capped off the scoring by sending a double of his own to right-center, allowing Botbyl to cross the plate.
Alvernia attempted to answer back in the top of the fifth by getting runners on first and second with two outs. But Miles halted the attempt by making a diving stop on a sharp ground ball and throwing to first to end the inning. The Golden Wolves got on the scoreboard in the seventh on a double to left-center field, trimming LVC's lead to 5–1. Lebanon Valley turned the game over to the bullpen in the top of the ninth inning, as Jacob Detwiler entered the game in relief. Alvernia crossed the plate twice on a pair of bases-loaded walks, making it a 5–3 game. Ultimately, Detwiler got out of the jam and struck out the side to secure the victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Six members of Lebanon Valley's lineup recorded hits, posting 10 total knocks.
- Moore Jr. struck out five batters, helping him win his sixth game of the season.
- Murphy picked up a double, two RBIs, and a run scored.
- Santoro extended his hitting streak to six games with a three-hit performance.
- Botbyl recorded two knocks while driving in a run and scoring once.
- Miles knocked in a run and scored once in a two-hit effort.
- Detwiler notched his second save of the season.
Up Next
The Dutchmen will return to the diamond at noon on Saturday, as the club will continue its series with the Golden Wolves in a doubleheader at Angelica Park in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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