Cards lose both in key doubleheader
By Eddie Ramos
Last Updated:2:59 PM EST 4/22/09 Section: Sports
The St. John Fisher baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader at Ithaca College on Saturday, April 19.
The Cardinals, (15-12, 5-5 Empire 8) ranked 15th in the nation in runs scored per game and 21st in the nation in team batting average, were held to two runs as host Ithaca (22-6, 12-2, Empire 8) won 7-2, and 5-0.
"Against Ithaca, you can't play decent baseball, you have to play great baseball," junior catcher Leo Fusili said.
The Bombers won the first game behind the starting pitching of junior Tom Fishback, who threw a complete game, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out four.
In the second game, pitching again was the answer for Ithaca, as starting pitcher Dan Lynch threw a complete game shutout, allowing five hits, and striking out five.
"They had great pitching," Fusili said. "We were not aggressive at the plate, we were essentially battling in every single at bat."
In sweeping the doubleheader, Ithaca clinched its ninth straight Empire 8 title.
"They have a tradition that includes national championships," Fisher head coach Dan Pepicelli said. "Ithaca head coach George Valesente has been the best in the conference at bringing players in and developing them into great players."
Cardinals starting pitcher Brandon Lewis allowed six earned runs on 12 hits.
"Brandon got in some trouble early, but he did a great job of staying in there and competing," Pepicelli said.
Fisher was led offensively by sophomore outfielder Ross Langevin who went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Leadoff hitter Kevin Wing finished 2-4 with a run scored.
The Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Wing doubled and eventually scored on a Langevin single. Langevin would also score after stealing second and a Teagen Baressi single.
Fisher would not score another run for the rest of the game, and the offensive slump carried over into the nightcap.
"Some of our guys are struggling right now," Baressi said. "When you're struggling in baseball, it doesn't matter who is pitching."
The Cardinals, (15-12, 5-5 Empire 8) ranked 15th in the nation in runs scored per game and 21st in the nation in team batting average, were held to two runs as host Ithaca (22-6, 12-2, Empire 8) won 7-2, and 5-0.
"Against Ithaca, you can't play decent baseball, you have to play great baseball," junior catcher Leo Fusili said.
The Bombers won the first game behind the starting pitching of junior Tom Fishback, who threw a complete game, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out four.
In the second game, pitching again was the answer for Ithaca, as starting pitcher Dan Lynch threw a complete game shutout, allowing five hits, and striking out five.
"They had great pitching," Fusili said. "We were not aggressive at the plate, we were essentially battling in every single at bat."
In sweeping the doubleheader, Ithaca clinched its ninth straight Empire 8 title.
"They have a tradition that includes national championships," Fisher head coach Dan Pepicelli said. "Ithaca head coach George Valesente has been the best in the conference at bringing players in and developing them into great players."
Cardinals starting pitcher Brandon Lewis allowed six earned runs on 12 hits.
"Brandon got in some trouble early, but he did a great job of staying in there and competing," Pepicelli said.
Fisher was led offensively by sophomore outfielder Ross Langevin who went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Leadoff hitter Kevin Wing finished 2-4 with a run scored.
The Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Wing doubled and eventually scored on a Langevin single. Langevin would also score after stealing second and a Teagen Baressi single.
Fisher would not score another run for the rest of the game, and the offensive slump carried over into the nightcap.
"Some of our guys are struggling right now," Baressi said. "When you're struggling in baseball, it doesn't matter who is pitching."
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