×

LHU Baseball: Bald Eagles swept by ESU

(LHU SPORTS) Lock Haven University's Max Joseph hits the ball during an NCAA baseball game.

By BILL ALBRIGHT

Express Sports Writer

LOCK HAVEN — After opening the 2019 season by splitting a pair of games with East Stroudsburg on the road, the Lock Haven University baseball team returned home to Watkins Field, hoping for at least split or possibly a sweep.

However, as things turned out, the Bald Eagles got neither as the Warriors flexed their muscles to sweep LHU by the scores of 10-2 and 3-0.

In Friday’s win over ESU, the Bald Eagles put up nine runs on the Warriors. With the big lead, the Bald Eagles rode the strong pitching of Jesse Slinger to the win.

Slinger went the distance to record a complete game 9-0 shutout over the Warriors, Slinger was masterful in his PSAC opener. For the game, he scattered five hits, walking none and striking out a pair.

“He was just phenomenal,” said LHU head coach Heath “Smoke” Stover. “He spotted hit pitches well and everything seemed to be working well for him. He just did an outstanding job.”

While Slinger was stingy on the mound, his teammates supplied with more than enough offense, rapping out a dozen hits.

Bald Eagles coming up with a pair of hits in the win were Liam McArthur, Isaac Porter, John Banes, Reagan Lawler and Demetrius Haskins. Porter and Lawlor each drove in a pair of runs.

In Saturday’s second game, LHU could only muster five hits, one each by Joe Zgleszewski, Banes, Jimmy Webb, Colby Hiddemen and Max Joseph, Zgleszewski driving in a pair of runs in the 6-2 loss.

Sunday’s first game pretty much mirrored Saturday’s nightcap, but this time it was the Warriors who scored big and early as they took a 10-2 lead that stood up for the final.

“We put up nine on them down there and they returned the favor to us today by putting up 10 on us,” said Stover.

LHU’s two runs were the result of one swing of the bat as Demetrius Haskins homered to left to chase Reagan Lawlor home in front of him.

Liam McArthur continued to hit the ball well as he again had a multiple-hit game with a pair of safeties.

In game two the story was a simple one. Thanks to an outstanding effort by Warrior pitcher Nate Fiala, not only did the Bald Eagles fail to score, they didn’t come up with a single hit as Fiala tossed a no-no at LHU.

“We got hit and there is no other way to look at it,” said Stover. “We hit some balls hard, but they were either right at them or they made good plays.”

Avery Eddy started and took the loss for the Bald Eagles. Eddy working the first four innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs. He struck out one and walked four.

“The walks hurt him,” said Stover. “He pitched pretty well with the exception of running a lot of deep counts which led to the walks and it ran his pitch count up early.”

Keeping things close, Dillon Good came on and put together a strong relief effort. Good worked three innings, and didn’t allow a run while striking out five.

The Bald Eagles will look to get back on the winning ways, but it won’t be easy. They travel to West Chester Friday for a PSAC twin bill before returning to Watkins Field Saturday to host the Golden Rams.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.69/week.

Subscribe Today