Davidson College
20-17
Winthrop
18-19
Late Rally Lifts ‘Cats Over Winthrop, 12-10
4/19/2016 10:03:00 PM | Baseball
ROCK HILL, N.C. – Runs scored in each of the last four innings helped the Davidson baseball team to a 12-10 come-from-behind victory over Winthrop Tuesday evening at the Winthrop Ballpark.
Trailing 9-2, Davidson (20-17) scored six runs in the sixth that sparked a late rally, including two runs in its final at bat that secured the come-from-behind victory over the Eagles (18-19).
The Wildcats put in their best offensive performance of the season, out hitting Winthrop, 19-11, with the help of three Wildcats recording three-or-more hits. Jake Sidwell led both teams with four hits, three RBI and two runs scored.
In addition to Brian Fortier's 3-for-6 outing, Max Bazin recorded his first perfect game as the freshman went 3-for-3 with one RBI and three runs scored.
Six Wildcats appeared on the mound, including Josh Smutzer (3-1) who only gave up one hit with three strikeouts in two innings of play. Westin Whitmire pitched a flawless ninth inning for his seventh save of the season.
Zach Cook (2-3) was one of five Eagles to appear on the hill for Winthrop, allowing three runs off seven hits with two strikeouts in 3.1 innings for the loss.
Winthrop got out to a hot start, scoring three early runs off three hits, including a three-RBI double from Roger Gonzalez that gave the Eagles the early lead heading into the second.
Davidson rallied in the next at bat as Fortier led off with a single to right field. After a RBI single from Bazin, Sidwell singled to bring in the freshman as the Wildcats made it a one-run ballgame.
But two Wildcat errors led to two runs in the third, before four runs off five hits in the fourth gave Winthrop a commanding 9-2 lead.
Davidson rallied in the sixth after back-to-back homeruns from Fortier and Sam Foy that cut the Eagle lead to five. Both homeruns were the first of the season for the infielders, which ignited the Wildcats impressive rally. Three singles, two walks and two sacrifices led to three more runs, which made it a one-run ballgame.
The Wildcats continued with the moment in the seventh. After retiring three-straight Eagles, Davidson tied the score off three singles.
Back-and-forth play continued and the 'Cats took advantage of another three-and-out from Winthrop by scoring two runs off three singles to secure the ballgame.
Davidson will return to Wilson Field this weekend for an A-10 series against Fordham starting Friday at 6 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smutzer, Josh (3-1)
L: COOK, Z. (2-3)
S: Whitmire, Westin (7)
Batting:
2B: Miller, Lee 1
HR: Fortier, Brian 1 ; Foy, Sam 1
RBI: Sidwell, Jake 3 ; Tovsky, Aaron 3 ; Miller, Lee 2 ; Fortier, Brian 1 ; Foy, Sam 2 ; Bazin, Max 1
SH: Acosta, Alec 1 ; Bazin, Max 1 ; Pope, Andrew 1
SF: Miller, Lee 1 ; Foy, Sam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sidwell, Jake 2 ; Acosta, Alec 1 ; Fortier, Brian 2 ; Foy, Sam 2 ; Agard, Tyler 1 ; Bazin, Max 3 ; Pope, Andrew 1
SB: Sidwell, Jake 1 ; Bazin, Max 1
Batting:
2B: GONZALEZ, R. 1 ; THOMAS, B. 1
RBI: LOWRIE, M. 2 ; GONZALEZ, R. 3 ; THOMAS, B. 4 ; EDWARDS, K. 1
SH: FITE, B. 1 ; EDWARDS, K. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ASBILL, T. 1 ; FITE, B. 2 ; PAULSEN, A. 2 ; LOWRIE, M. 2 ; GONZALEZ, R. 1 ; WHITLEY, J. 2
HBP: ASBILL, T. 1 ; WHITLEY, J. 1
