Feb. 27, 2011

Box Score

FARMVILLE, VA – Eric Van Wyk pitched six strong innings and Brendan Norton knocked in two runs as the La Salle baseball team completed a three-game sweep over Longwood with a 7-2 win on Sunday.

“All three pitchers did a real good job,” said head coach Mike Lake. “They got ahead early and stayed ahead. The other team put ball in play we played a strong defensive game.”

Norton got the offense started for La Salle in the opening frame with an RBI triple to left-center. The extra-base hit was Norton’s first of the season as Dan Klem came around to score the game’s first run.

Two batters later, Marc Schoch knocked in Norton to give La Salle the early 2-0 edge.

The Explorers (3-2) tacked on an unearned run in the fifth followed by three more runs in the seventh to take command of the game.

The final blow in that seventh-inning rally came off the bat of Jon Gyles, who hit the first home run for La Salle this season, a solo shot which capped off the scoring for the Explorers.

Relievers Kevin Christy and Zach Huff each pitched solid in relief and did not allow a run in the final three frames to preserve the victory.

“This sweep does a lot for confidence,” Lake added. “We have a lot of work to do but the guys believe that they can win. Our pitchers stepped up big in this series and we got a little timelier hitting. We need to keep working on executing.”

The Explorers will return home before playing their first mid-week game of the season on Wednesday at Lafayette. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Fisher Field in Easton.