Newport News, VA - The Villa Julie Baseball Team headed down to
Newport News, VA to play Preseason USA South favorite Christopher
Newport on Saturday. The Mustangs opened up the scoring in
the 3rd inning with 2 runs, and never looked back en route to a 5-3
victory.
Freshman Kyle Van Beek led of the 3rd reaching on
an error. After a sac bunt, senior Alex
Laddbush singled him home for his 1st RBI on the day,
then junior Brett Steele singled in
Laddbush. Laddbush singled in
junior Sean Dolan in the 5th, and picked up
another RBI on a double in the 7th to finish 3-4 with 3 RBI's and 2
runs. Steele also finished with 2 hits and
an RBI. Junior Wade Keenan (2-0) pitched a
gem for the Mustangs throwing 6 innings and allowing 1 earned run
on 3 hits. Laddbush also came out of the
bullpen to get out of a jam, and pick up his 2nd save of the season
pitching 1 inning and striking out one.
The Mustangs went on to play Bridgewater in a game right after
beating CNU. Unfortunately, darkness set in and the Mustangs
could only muster up a tie, 6-6.
Senior Buddy Breidenbaugh got the start, but
facing a batter in the 3rd inning, he got hit by a line drive off
his throwing elbow and was unable to continue. The Mustang
bullpen allowed 5 runs on 1 hits, but settled down late to keep
Bridgewater in check just long enough for the offense to put some
runs on the board.
Bridewater starter Nolan Shaffer was tough as the Mustangs could
only muster 2 runs on 3 hits. But when the 7th came around,
Villa Julie came around. Pinch-hitter freshman
Dustin Tarlow singled to left, then junior
Wade Keenan singled behind him, then advanced on
Brett Steele's walk. Tarlow
scored on the wild pitch. Junior Jimmy
Smith then came up and hit a 3 run home run to tie the
ball game at 6-6.
Bridgewater couldn't get anything going in the bottom of the 8th
and that is were the game ended. Keenan
ended the day 2-3 with 2 RBI's, Smith 2-3 with 3
RBI's, and junior Max Eckert chipped in by scoring
2 runs.
The Mustangs are back in action on Tuesday as they travel to
Lexington, VA to face Washington & Lee University for a single
game at 3 pm.
