Columbia
Yale (Game 2)
Fourteen-Hit Output in Game Two Backs Whitaker's Complete Game as Lions Split at Yale
4/10/2011 6:00:00 PM | Baseball
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Geoff Whitaker was dominant in game two at Yale, giving Columbia an outstanding complete-game, nine-inning performance as the Lions defeated Yale 8-1 after suffering a 6-3 loss in the opener.
Game One
In the bottom of the second, Yale put its first two runners on base via a pair of infield base hits and ultimately touched Columbia starter Dan Bracey for three runs in the frame to jump out to a 3-0 advantage after two innings.
The Lions racked up six base hits in the first four innings against Yale hurler Christopher O'Hare but could not push across any runs until the fifth inning, after Yale had taken a 5-0 lead in the fourth.
Mike Fischer drew a leadoff walk in the fifth. Nick Cox singled back up the middle and Jon Eisen pushed a bunt to the right side to load the bases. Dario Pizzano pulled a single into right field that scored Fischer but Andrew Moore fired a strike to the plate to nail Cox with the potential second run of the inning.
Columbia did make it 5-2 when Alexander Aurrichio followed by lining a single the other way into left field to chase O'Hare from the game. Kevin Fortunato then came on in relief to get the final two outs of the frame to limit the damage.
Fortunato picked up the save for O'Hare, who won his third game of the season. Bracey was saddled with the loss for the Lions. Cameron Squires was 3-for-3 with two RBI from the leadoff spot for the Bulldogs.
Game Two
Every Columbia regular had a base hit and Geoff Whitaker was masterful, tossing a complete game in the Lions' 8-1 victory in the nightcap.
Whitaker and Yale starter Brook Hart matched zeroes over the first three innings until Columbia got to Hart for three runs in the fourth inning.
Alex Ferrera singled with one out to get things started and Billy Rumpke drew a four-pitch walk. Enmanuel Cabreja then singled to load the bases for Alex Godshall, who ripped a two-run double into left center field to make it a 2-0 Lion lead. Two batters later, Dario Pizzano's sacrifice fly brought home the third run of the inning and Columbia held a 3-0 advantage.
Trailing 3-0 in the fifth inning, Yale got its first two runners aboard on a single and double to put runners on second and third. Whitaker beared down, however, and got the next three batters on three fly balls without a run scoring to keep the game at 3-0.
In the next half inning, Columbia made it 4-0 when Nick Crucet's two-out RBI single scored Cabreja, who had doubled with one out.
Yale got on the board in the sixth when Ryan Brenner singled home Cale Hanson to make it 4-1 but Whitaker got the final out on a flyout to end the threat.
Leading 5-1 in the ninth inning, Columbia posted three runs to gain an 8-1 cushion. Nick Ferraresi and Jason Banos had RBI singles in the ninth and Ferrera's sacrifice fly capped the scoring.
Whitaker ended the game in style, getting Andrew Kolmar swinging at strike three as the Columbia senior earned his third win of the season.
Crucet had three base hits in five at-bats in game and Pizzano, Banos and Cabreja each had two hits.
Whitaker threw 88 of his 120 pitches for strikes in the effort. He allowd one run on seven hits, walked one and struck out seven Bulldogs.
Columbia is back in action on Tuesday, April 12 in a midweek matchup against St. John's at Robertson Field at Satow Stadium, beginning a seven-game home stand. Game time on Tuesday is 3:30 p.m.
NOTES:
Columbia pounded out 24 hits during Sunday's doubleheader ... Dario Pizzano was 2-for-4 in each end of the twinbill ... the Lions belted four doubles in game two ... Jason Banos scored from first base in the seventh inning of game two after he stole second base, advanced to third when the catcher's throw sailed into center field and then came home when the center fielder's throw eluded the third baseman ... David Speer allowed an unearned run in two innings of relief in game one ... the Lions are finished with games against the Rolfe Division and will play exclusively against Gehrig Division opponents during the remainder of their Ivy League schedule.
