BETHLEHEM, PA – Trailing by one run midway through the eighth inning, the Peacocks surrendered a seven-run bottom of the eighth, resulting in a 13-5 defeat to Lehigh on Wednesday. Freshman infielder
Jared Paladino hit his first career home run in the game.
Game Notes
- The contest was competitive from the start, with each team recording just one hit through two full innings.
- Peacock starting pitcher, John Gavura struck out 2-of-7 batters that he faced through the two innings.
- Saint Peter's struck first, taking the 2-0 lead in the top of the third.
- With a man on first and second, Hunter Mason doubled to right field with Chris Marquart and Edwin Feliciano both crossing home plate to put the Peacocks ahead.
- Later in the inning, Paladino drew a walk, loading the bases with two outs, but Jared Quintero struck out swinging for the final out, leaving three on base and only leaving the Peacocks with two runs.
- Lehigh would equalize the game in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run homer by Gerard Sweeney.
- Still knotted up in the fifth inning, Lehigh scored the go-ahead runs, forcing walks with bases loaded on back-to-back at bats and by way of a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 5-2 over Saint Peter's.
- The Peacocks kept pace in the sixth, when Paladino hit the two-run blast to left field, putting the Peacocks behind 5-4.
- After keeping Lehigh scoreless in the bottom of the inning, Feliciano picked up an RBI groundout after Marquart advanced home from third base to tie the game at 5-5.
- In the bottom of the seventh, Lehigh hit its second home run of the afternoon going back up 6-5.
- Saint Peter's failed to score over the final two innings, while Lehigh put together the seven-run eighth inning to earn a 13-5 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- In addition to his first career home run, Paladino posted two RBIs, a run scored, and drew a walk on a 1-for-3 day.
- Mason followed with two RBIs of his own.
- Marquart and Peter Ferony each recorded two hits, with Marquart scoring two runs and Fereony scoring once.
- Feliciano added a RBI and run.
Coach's Quotes – Danny Ramirez
- "Tough loss today; our offense and defense continues to battle as they showed today."
- "Close game today until the 8th inning when our pitching staff just lost site of the strike zone. Eight walks in the inning led to seven runs. Walks have plagued us all year and our pitching staff needs to show a sense of urgency and get ahead of hitters by throwing strike one. We've talked about how at this level hitters will make you pay if you fall behind constantly."
- "Today was another example of how a game can get away from you if you can't throw strikes."
- "On a bright note, our offense and defense continues to show that they can compete. We will keep with our pitching staff as we look forward to facing Monmouth this weekend."
On Deck
- The Peacocks return to MAAC play this weekend with a home series against Monmouth.
- The teams will meet on Saturday at 12 and 3 p.m., and on Sunday at 1 p.m.
