The baseball team (3-16 overall) continued its poor run of form with losses to the University of Pennsylvania (8-9 overall) and Rutgers University (15-6 overall). However, the Leopards also managed to pick up their third win of the year in their second game against Penn.
The team split its doubleheader against Penn, with the Leopards scoring just one run in the first game, which came from senior infielder Blaze Fadio. Penn went on to win the game by a score of 8-1.
Then, the Maroon and White snatched a 6-0 lead in the second game against the Quakers. Fadio hit his second home run of the season and also managed to drive in junior infielder Ben Petrone and sophomore catcher Ethan Swidler. Junior outfielder Easton Brenner recorded two RBIs, allowing senior outfielder Justin Grech to score both times. Freshman infielder Matt Colella drove in freshman outfielder Teddy Cashman.
Despite a late resurgence from the home side, sophomore left-handed pitcher Trace Florio picked up his first win of the season after pitching 5.0 innings and not allowing a run.
Finally, the Leopards gave up 22 runs to close out the weekend. Lafayette started on the right foot, taking a 4-0 lead in the top of the first. Penn went on to hit its stride, however, and scored eight runs in both the fourth and seventh innings. The final tally was 22-8 in favor of the Quakers.
On Wednesday, the team dropped another game when it traveled to Rutgers. Despite runs from freshman outfielder/right-handed pitcher Jeremiah Holder, Brenner, Fadio, junior corner infielder Michael Zarrillo, sophomore outfielder Charlie Chropuvka and freshman utility player Luke Caucci, Lafayette fell by a score of 18-6. Senior right-handed pitcher Bo Planeta logged the loss, pitching 1.2 innings and giving up five runs.
Five members of the baseball team did not respond to requests for comment.
Next up for Lafayette is a four-game rivalry series against Lehigh University (12-6-1 overall) beginning Friday at noon. Both sides will look to kick off their Patriot League schedules at Kamine Stadium.
