Dan DaranciangThe Washington University men’s baseball team swept a doubleheader Saturday against visiting Knox College at Kelly Field. The University also hosted a pair of games against the same Knox squad on Sunday, but results were not available when Student Life went to press.
In the first of Saturday’s games, junior Brent Buffa once again pitched a beauty, tossing a complete game and improving to 6-0 on the season. He struck out six and walked just one, as the Bears easily defeated the Prairie Fire, 15-3 and improved its overall record to 20-4.
Senior shortstop Ryan Corning led the University’s offensive attack, knocking in three runs for the Bears who jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and never looked back.
The University had 12 hits but was also aided by multiple defensive gaffes committed by Knox. The visitors committed five errors on the day and just seven of the Bears’ 15 runs were of the earned variety.
Also coming up big offensively for the Red and Green in game one were a pair of freshmen, right fielder Zander Lehman and designated hitter Gregg Kennedy. Each had two hits to go along with two RBI’s.
In Saturday’s second game, Dan Mcpheeters tossed a complete-game shutout and the University coasted to a 12-0 win. The junior allowed five hits and struck out four, improving his overall record to 4-1 and lowering his ERA to 4.39 for the season.
Offensively, a host of Bears hitters provided timely at-bats, en route to the squad’s nine hits. Centerfielder Andy Shields had three RBI’s. Catcher and senior captain Alan Germano, senior first basemen Bryan Brown and Lehman all knocked in two for the Bears who moved its record to 21-4 with the win.
Once again, the University was helped by weak Knox defense. The guests committed four errors and just half of the Bears’ 12 runs were earned.
The University resumes its busy schedule on Tuesday when it hosts a double header against local rival Maryville College. The action begins at 1 p.m. at Kelly Field on campus. The squad will then go on the road and face Eureka College in Illinois on Wednesday and then stay on the road for a Thursday afternoon date with Westminster College in Fulton, MO.
After the week’s busy slate of games, the Bears have a rare and much deserved weekend devoid of competition.