Baseball Sweeps Three-Game Series with 10-6 Win over Middlebury on Sunday

Recap courtesy of Wesleyan University, Photo by Lianne Yun '18

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Wesleyan University baseball team finished off a three-game sweep of NESCAC West Division-rival Middlebury on Sunday, as the Cardinals improved to 4-1 at home during the 2018 season with a 10-6 win at Dresser Diamond.

The Cardinals (13-6) currently sit atop the NESCAC West Division standings with a perfect 3-0 record. Junior Ryan Earle was phenomenal in relief on Sunday, as he earned his third save of the season, pitching the final 3 1/3 innings and giving up no runs. Sophomore Jake Alonzo (2-0) tallied the win in relief, as he struck out five batters in 2 2/3 innings of work.

Middlebury (6-12, 2-4 NESCAC West Division) was led by sophomores Brooks Carroll (3-for-5, two doubles, two RBIs, run) and Alan Guild (2-for-5, double, two RBIs, run).

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After winning the opening two games of the series on Saturday afternoon, Wesleyan was hungry for more success, as it knew the importance of an early-season, three-game sweep. The squad put a seven spot up on the scoreboard in left field during the first inning by showing a great deal of patience at the plate, as five runs crossed home plate on RBI walks. Sophomore Alex Cappitelli capped the scoring in the opening frame on a two-run double to right-center, giving the hosts a 7-0 cushion.
• Junior Pat Clare, who earned the save in Game 1 on Saturday, started for the Cardinals in the series finale, and gave up three earned runs on six hits in three innings. The Panthers found their way onto the scoreboard in the second, with Guild scoring an unearned run with two down on a throwing error by the catcher.
• Guild pulled the visitors to within 7-3 in the third on a two-run single through the right side. For the Cardinals, Earle has showcased his versatility all season, excelling on the mound, in the box and at first, as he gave the Cardinals a six-run advantage in the bottom of the third with a two-run, two-out double to right-center.
• Middlebury stayed aggressive in the batter's box during the fourth, trimming the deficit to five runs on a RBI double to right-center by sophomore Hayden Smith. Wesleyan's 17th-year head coach Mark Woodworth turned to Alonzo in a relief role on the mound, and it paid off, as he struck out the side to get the Cardinals out of the inning without any more damage done.
• The Panthers kept chipping away in the sixth, pulling to within 9-6 on a two-run double down the right-field line with two outs by Carroll, but Earle was able to get the always-dangerous Guild to fly out to left with two runners in scoring position.
• Junior Danny Rose capped the scoring for the hosts with a sacrifice fly to right in the seventh, which allowed sophomore Jesse Levy-Rubinett to cross home from third.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Cardinals continued to show the depth of their lineup, as the squad received a hit from seven different players on Sunday.
• Middlebury led the hits category, 9-7, and both teams were strong in the field, with Wesleyan being charge with the lone error in the matchup.
• The Panthers left eight runners on base, while Wesleyan stranded seven. The hosts led the way with five extra-base hits, and Middlebury finished with four doubles.
• Earle and Cappitelli combined for two doubles, four RBIs and two runs, while sophomore Kevin Walek led the way with two runs scored, to go along with a single and an RBI. Smith recorded a 2-for-4 effort for the visitors, including a double, RBI and a run. Junior starting pitcher Colin Waters (0-3) was tagged with the loss.

UP NEXT:

• The Cardinals will compete against Salve Regina in non-conference action on Tuesday (4 p.m.) at Dresser Diamond.