KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - The Washington and Lee University baseball team kicked off their 2025 campaign with a 12-4 rout of Susquehanna University on the first day of the D3 Showcase at the Atrium Health Ballpark.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Campbell Charneco led off the game with a single to left-center before Paul Ramseur drew a walk to put two runners on. The Blue and White (1-0) loaded the bases after Nick Laggeswas hit by a pitch. Andrew Thornton drove in the game's first run with a single to left field, bringing home Charneco.
- The Riverhawks (0-1) tied the game at one in the bottom half of the first inning after Jack Cahill drew a walk with the bases loaded, following a Michael Gagliardi double to right-center.
- Back-to-back walks from Samuel Chase and Preston Larmore put two runners on for the Blue and White before Ramseur roped a double into left field, plating both runners. Nick Lagges followed up with a single of his own before an error by the Riverhawks' catcher brought home Ramseur to give the Generals a 4-1 lead. Lagges came around to score after Andrew Thornton singled down the left-field line, putting the Generals up by four.
- Starting pitcher John Benner was lights out in his next three innings, sitting down all three batters in order with two punch outs. Charneco was hit by a pitch in the top of the fourth before coming around to score on a Lagges double down the right-field line to give the Blue and White a five-run lead.
- Following back-to-back doubles from Griffin Shenman and Tony Rossi, the Riverhawks plated a run after an Owen Ayers single.
- Charneco blasted his first home run of the season with a solo shot to left field, putting the Blue and White up 7-2 in the top of the sixth.
- Susquehanna scored two runs on one hit in the bottom of the sixth to make it a three-run game, as Sam Martucci and CJ Orrego came around on a ground out and a wild pitch.
- Jonathan French kicked off the top of the eighth with a bunt single before stealing second base. French came around to score on an error by the third baseman following a groundout from Charneco.
- Back-to-back hit-by-pitches allowed Thornton and John Turner to reach base before a sacrifice bunt from Mike Carpenter moved both runners into scoring position. Nathan DeWitte drove in both runs in the next at-bat with a double to left-center field. Preston Larmore reached on an error before French singled to right-center, bringing home DeWitte and Larmore to extend the Generals' lead to 12-4.
- Bob Burr picked up his first save of the season as he forced a fly out and two ground outs in the final frame to secure the Generals' season-opening win.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Blue and White move to 1-0 on the season, notching their first season-opening win since 2023, when they defeated Ursinus 14-3.
- Benner earned the win on the mound for the Generals, pitching 4.1 innings and striking out three batters. He allowed only two runs (one earned) on three hits. Burr picked up a save in relief after throwing 3.1 shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five batters.
- French, Charneco, Lagges, and Thornton each had two hits for the Blue and White. Four Generals recorded two RBIs, with DeWitte driving in two runs in his only at-bat of the game. The Blue and White stole five bases, with French, Lagges, Carpenter, DeWitte, and Larmore each swiping one bag.
SUSQUEHANNA GAME NOTES
- The Riverhawks fall to 0-1 on the season, dropping their second straight season opener.
- Jack Greco was credited with the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and five walks in five innings. Christian Rossi allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits with one walk in four innings of work.
- Orrego led the Riverhawks with a 2-for-4 (.500) effort at the plate, scoring one run. Heyduk, Cahill, Martucci, and Healy each recorded one RBI.
UP NEXT
- The Blue and White are back in action tomorrow as they take on Swarthmore College at 3 p.m. No live stats will be available but you can watch the game live on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers YouTube page.