LEXINGTON, Va. - Two 11th innings errors proved to be the deciding factor in the Washington and Lee University baseball team's 7-4 loss to Centenary University (N.J.) in the 2024 season opener at Cap'n Dick Smith Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Two costly errors helped the Cyclones (1-0) score three runs in the top of the 11th inning to take game one of the three-game series.
- After a 1-2-3 frame from Junior Evan Blair, Zach Senders kicked off the season with a double to left field before stealing third. Jacob Jackson drove in the first run of the season with a single through the left side of the infield to give the Generals (0-1) an early 1-0 lead.
- In the bottom of the third, Jackson roped a double down the left field line and advanced to third after a Campbell Charneco grounded out. Drew Larsen gave the Blue and White a 2-0 lead as Jackson scored on a sacrifice fly.
- Centenary cut the lead to one in the top of the sixth as Brandon Smith drove in Marty Lucibello with a single to right field. Andrew Flood limited the damage with two runners on, striking out back-to-back batters to get out of the inning.
- Jake Keenan of Centenary knotted the scoring at two as he drove in Nick Payne from second base with an infield single to first base.
- After Zach Senders lined a single into center field, Charneco launched a two-run home run into left field to give W&L a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth.
- After Myles Castillo reached first on an Andrew Thornton error, Miron Miller singled down the left field line to put runners on first and second. A passed ball moved the runners up before Castillo scored on a Dominick Zinna ground out. Dominick Chiego drove in the tying run with a single to left field.
- The game remained scoreless until the top of the 11th inning, Chiego reached third on an error to give the Cyclones a runner in scoring position. Lucibello drove in Chiego with a double to right center before Payne reached first on an error and Lucibello scored to give the visitors a 6-4 lead. Keenan gave the Cyclones a 7-4 run lead as he singled to right center.
- Andrew Thornton kicked off the bottom of the 11th with an infield single but the Generals found themselves with two outs as Ethan Zulueta grounded into a double play. John Turnergave the Generals their second base runner of the inning but on a Paul Ramseur hit to the shortstop, Turner was tagged out, ending the game.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Generals are now 16-9 in season openers while dropping to 19-6 record in their home openers since 2000.
- Evan Blair pitched five innings in his opening start, allowing four hits and striking out four hitters on 80 pitches. Sims DeLong (0-1) earned the loss in his 1.2 innings pitch, giving up three unearned runs while striking out two batters.
- Zach Senders and Jacob Jackson both recorded two hits in their five at-bats. Campbell Charneco was one-for-four with a two-run home run.
CENTENARY (N.J.) GAME NOTES
- The Cyclones improved to 10-10 in season openers since 2005 with the win this evening.
- Anthony Fraser (1-0) earned the win for the Cyclones, pitching 2.0 innings while only allowing one hit. Adam Yarrison picked up his first save of the season as he shut the door in the bottom of the 11th inning.
- Marty Lucibello and Nick Payne led the Cyclones with three hits and two runs.
- Jake Keenan and Myles Castillo recorded a game-high two stolen bases. Dominick Zinna and Brandon Smith each stole one bag.
UP NEXT
- The Blue and White are back in action tomorrow for the second game of the three-game series against Centenary (N.J.). First pitch is at 1:30 p.m. at Cap'n Dick Smith Field.