TOWSON, Md. – A day after a rough loss to begin Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play, the Towson University baseball team battled back and took both games of the home Saturday doubleheader, winning game one 10-2 and the second contest 7-6.
Towson (9-17, 2-1 CAA) earns a doubleheader sweep over Delaware (4-7, 1-2 CAA) for the second time in three years, having won two games vs. the Blue Hens on April 20, 2019.
Key Stats:
- Of the eight Tigers who played both games, seven hit safely. Three Tigers hit home runs in the doubleheader.
- Javon Fields hit 3-for-5, reaching base seven out of nine times with a home run, double, single, three walks and a hit-by-pitch. Danny Becerra went 4-for-7, scoring four runs and hitting a home run in game one. Burke Camper finished 2-for-7 with two runs, a home run, two RBI and a pair of walks.
- On the mound, Towson pitching combined for 23 strikeouts and seven walks, having an ERA of 3.00.
- Game one starter Nick Janowicz (2-0) earned the victory, throwing seven innings for two runs and seven strikeouts, with Kody Reeser finishing the game on two scoreless frames, striking out four. In game two, starter Danny Madden went four innings with five runs, four earned, and seven strikeouts. Reliever Cam Clark (2-0) picked up the victory with 2.1 innings, having an unearned run and a strikeout. Austin Weber went a flawless 1.1 innings with Jake Pecilunas notching the save in game two off a scoreless ninth as each Weber and Pecilunas struck out two batters.
- For Delaware, Mitchell Balint hit two solo home runs in game one, finishing 2-for-5 on the afternoon. Game one starter Dom Velazquez (2-3) had the loss with 5.1 innings, seven runs, three earned, and eight strikeouts. In game two, the loss went to reliever Mike Biasiello (0-1), who allowed three runs in one-third of an inning in the sixth.
How It Happened (Game 1):
- Following a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts by Nick Janowicz, Towson leadoff hitter Danny Becerra hit a ball over the left field fence for a solo shot. Three batters later with a man on first, Javon Fields slapped a single to center, bringing in Nolan Young from second and giving Towson a 2-0 lead.
- Towson added more runs in the second off several Delaware miscues. The Tigers took advantage of a catcher's interference, dropped third strike, reach on sacrifice bunt and a hit-by-pitch. With the bases full and two out, Noah Cabrera belted a double to the left-center gap to bring in two, completing a four-run inning and giving Towson a 6-0 advantage.
- Delaware got its first run in the top of the third with a leadoff homerun by Mitchell Balint to make it 6-1 Towson.
- Towson got the run back off the bat of Burke Camper, hitting a home run to left to push the lead back to six.
- Again Balint hit a home run, this time in the seven, for a second Delaware run. Towson countered in the following half inning off a Fields double down the left field line, scoring Young.
- In the bottom of the eighth, Towson stayed patient and drew four consecutive free passes, the final by Young to bring in a run. Next batter, a passed ball allowed another run to score, giving Towson a 10-2 advantage.
- In Kody Reeser's second inning of work, he struck out the side in the ninth to complete the 10-2 victory.
How It Happened (Game 2):
- Delaware got on the board in the opening inning, using three walks and a wild pitch to get a run across.
- Danny Becerra led the bottom of the first with a single. With two out, Towson drew three consecutive free passes, ended by a Burke Camper RBI walk, to tie the game at 1-1.
- Next inning with runners on the corners and one out, Billy Godrick completed a safety squeeze to bring in a run and make it 2-1 Towson.
- Javon Fields got a trip around the bases on a solo home run to left in the bottom of the third to give the home team a 3-1 lead.
- Delaware plated three in the top of the fourth inning, capped by a two-run single by Jordan Hutchins, to go ahead 4-3.
- Towson again played small ball to get the run back. With second and third and one out, Nolan Young hit to the right side for a ground out, bringing in a run and tying the game at 4-4.
- Delaware took back the lead on a run scored during a double play in the fifth and a sacrifice fly in the sixth to go ahead 6-4.
- In a wild bottom of the sixth, Godrick walked and Young singled to put runners on the corners with one out. Noah Cabrera hit a rocket up the middle for a single, driving in a run. Fields walked to load the bases, then a wild pitch brought a run home. After a strikeout, a passed ball allowed another score, putting Towson ahead 7-6.
- From there, the Towson bullpen of Cam Clark, Austin Weber and Jake Pecilunas locked down the Blue Hens, allowing just one baserunner in the final three innings. With a man on and two out in the ninth, a flyout ended the game as Towson took the victory 7-6.
Inside the Numbers:
- Towson earns its second doubleheader sweep of the season, taking two vs. UMass on March 20.
- Pitching the ninth in game two, Jake Pecilunas is now tied for 6th all-time at Towson with 64 pitching appearances.
- Billy Godrick and Nolan Young have reached base in their last 11 games. Meanwhile, Danny Becerra is on a seven-game hitting streak.
Next Game:
Towson returns to Schuerholz tomorrow to play an 11 a.m. doubleheader vs. Delaware, looking for a series victory.
- TowsonTigers.com –
