KANNAPOLIS, NC – After coming up with several clutch defensive plays in regulation, the University of Rochester baseball team outlasted Washington & Lee University 8-7 in 10 innings during action at the D3 Showcase at Atrium Health Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
Entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Rochester (2-0) held a three-run lead, up 4-1, but the Generals were able to get an RBI ground out and clutch pinch-hit 2-run home run by Jack Belbot to draw even and send the game into extras.
In the tenth, Rochester plated four runs, three of which were unearned to regain a big cushion on the scoreboard. UR's Quincy Jaksch had the go-ahead hit, an RBI single to score pinch runner Zach Herzog. Sammy Besztery added a bases loaded walk and Josh Leadem drove in two with a double during the four-run frame.
Washington & Lee refused to go down without a fight though, scoring three times again off of relief pitcher Mark Aaronson in the bottom of the tenth to make the Yellowjackets sweat it out. Aaronson eventually retired substitute Jacob Jackson on a ground out to strand the tying run on base, giving the Yellowjackets the win.
On the mound, UR's first two hurlers did well over a combined eight innings. Colby Cruser started and went four innings, allowing just one run on four hits. Sammy Rosenfield relieved and was terrific, not allowing a hit over four innings, fanning seven batters.
The Generals (2-4) got the scoring started quickly in the bottom of the first inning, as number two hitter Nick Lagges got a hold of one, slamming a solo home run over the right center field fence for the early 1-0 lead.
UR knotted the game in the second. After Henry Jamieson led off getting hit by a pitch, junior Alexander Gonzalo laced a run-scoring triple to right center field.
In the third, Washington & Lee threatened against Cruser, but the Yellowjackets defense bailed their starter out, as Luke Gregory made a diving catch in left field to strand two runners on base.
Rochester used the momentum to take the lead in the top half of the next inning, plating two runs on four base hits. Leadem led off with a single and was bunted to second by Jamieson. After Leadem stole third, Gonzalo picked up his second RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly.
Three straight singles from Luke Blozy, Dylan Stezzi and an RBI-hit from Jaksch scored the run, building the 'Jackets lead to 3-1.
Cruser stranded two more Generals runners on base in the fourth, and Rochester tacked on an additional run in the fifth thanks to an error in the field, building the lead out to three.
After Rosenfield took over, a hit batter and walk put two Washington & Lee runners on. With two outs, Jaksch made a stellar play at third base, bare-handing a slow roller and throwing across his body for the out at first, keeping Rochester in front 4-1.
Rosenfield set down the side in order with three strikeouts in the sixth and got another terrific defensive play in right field by Leadem to end the seventh.
After another Rosenfield 1-2-3 frame in the eighth, UR turned to Aaronson in the ninth, only to see the pinch-hit heroics of Belbot erase the lead.
Jaksch and Leadem each finished 2-for-4 with two RBI on the day. Leadem swiped two steals, while Jaksch had one, with each also scoring a run.
Jackson Reed crossed home plate twice and reached three times in six plate appearances. Gonzalo finished 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI and two free passes.
Only Andrew Thornton finished with multiple hits for the Generals, as he ended 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Both of his hits were doubles, as he kickstarted the Washington & Lee ninth inning rally and drove in another run in the tenth.
Rochester has a quick turnaround to close out play at the D3 Showcase, playing against Berry College on Sunday morning at 9 am. That matchup serves as an unofficial title game between the two 2-0 squads competing in Kannapolis this weekend.