Baseball | February 17, 2017

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LEXINGTON, S.C. - The La Salle baseball season began today as the Explorers (0-2) were bested by Butler (1-0) and Ohio (1-0) to begin a four-game three-day weekend in South Carolina. The first game saw the Bulldogs win 3-1 while the second had the Bobcats win 10-2.

In the first game, the Explorers held a close lead for much of the contest due to stout pitching and defense. Designated hitter Chase Arnold's sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the second inning scored Kevin McGowan who had earlier reached on a walk.

The Bulldogs were halted offensively until the seventh inning when they were able to tie the game. They scored two more runs in the next inning to make the score a decisive 3-1. 

On the mound, Luke Reilly, who drew the start, struck out seven batters over four innings and surrendered just three hits. Freshman Matt Holt threw three innings in relief, giving up just one run (unearned) while striking out four.

In the second game, the Explorers were able to strike first again, taking a 2-0 advantage over the Bobcats. Sophomore designated hitter Ben Faso's RBI single scored McGowan to give La Salle its first run of the game. The next batter, freshman Ryan Guckin, hit an RBI single to score Ryan Guckin in his first collegiate at bat. 

Starting pitcher Jared Mattera was able to blank the Bobcats until bottom of the fourth inning when their offense caught fire and scored five runs. Ohio continued its hot hitting and scored five more in the seventh.

Head Coach Mike Lake and the Explorers will be in action again tomorrow as they are set to take on Ohio at 11:00 AM.