LEXINGTON, Va. - The Washington and Lee University baseball team fell in a Tuesday Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) match up as they were shutout 9-0 by Eastern Mennonite University at Cap'n Dick Smith Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Royals (9-16, 6-8 ODAC) struck first in the opening frame as Alex Gulisano advanced to third base on a Nick Arnold single through the right side of the infield before coming around to score on a Generals' error.
- A pitching duel ensued as starting pitcher's John Benner and Damen Tapscott only allowed four hits in four innings of action.
- EMU broke the game wide open in the top of the 6th inning, scoring eight runs on seven hits to take a 9-0 lead. After Ethan Spraker reached base on an error, he would come around to score on a throwing error following an Aidan Miller single to left field.
- Three straight singles from Matthew Harding, Daniel McGinnis and Erik Wilikinson drove in two runs and put runners on first and second. Logan Mason drove in Wilkinson and McGinnis as he roped a double into the left center field gap to put the Royals up 6-0.
- After Hall was hit by a pitch, Gulisano drove in two more runs as he blasted a 2-RBI triple to left center to put the Royals up 8-0. Gulisano would come around to score the next at-bat as Arnold singled to left field to give them a nine run lead.
- The Generals (13-14, 7-10 ODAC) couldn't scrape anything together until the bottom of the ninth inning as Drew Larsen and Frankie Maloof singles and an Ethan Zulueta walk loaded the bases with two outs. EMU's First-Year pitcher, Damen Tapscott, forced Jaden Keuhner to ground out to secure the program's first complete game shutout since at least 2001.
W&L GAME NOTES
- With the loss, the Generals fall to 13-14 on the season and 7-10 in ODAC play. The Blue and White were shutout for the first time since they lost to No. 3 Shenandoah University, 9-0, on Apr. 5, 2023.
- Drew Larsen led the offense with a 3-for-4 (.750) effort at the plate while Jacob Jackson, Campbell Charneco, John Turner, Frankie Maloof and Mason Satterfield each had one hit.
- John Benner (2-3) was credited with the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in 5.1 innings of work.
EASTERN MENNONITE GAME NOTES
- The Royals moved to 9-16 on the season and 6-8 in conference play while sweeping the season series for the first time since 2019.
- Damen Tapscott (2-3) had a stellar performance on the mound for EMU, tossing nine shutout innings, only allowing eight hits and striking out three batters for his second win of his young career.
- Erik Wilkinson led the Royals offense with 3-for-5 (.600) effort at the plate while driving in one run. Arnold, Speaker and Mason each had two hits in the win while Arnold, Mason and Gulisano each drove in two runs.
UP NEXT
- The Generals take a 11-day break before returning to Cap'n Dick Smith Field for the final time this season as they take on Ferrum College in an ODAC doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 20 for Senior Day.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
