MIAMI SHORES, Fla. Sophomore Alex LaFayette (Ludlow, Mass.) blasted a game-tying two-run homer late in game two, but it was not enough as Barry University walked off with the win and series sweep capturing, 11-6 and 4-3, victories in a non-conference baseball doubleheader this afternoon from Feinbloom Field.
In game one, AIC (0-3) again opened the scoring early taking advantage of some fielding miscues by the Bucs to grab a 2-0 lead after the first half inning. Junior Chris Starcun (Easthampton, Mass.) reached on a fielding error, but was credited with an RBI as senior Brett Bohl (Ludlow, Mass.) crossed home and classmate Tyler Geffert (Hopedale, Mass.) scored on the ensuing at-bat after a 4-6-3 double-play.
Barry (14-6) once again responded quickly as sophomore Jonathan Quintana (Miami Lakes, Fla.) cleared the bases with a triple to right center for the 3-2 edge.
The Buccaneers added three more in the second inning before the Jackets answered again in the top of the third as LaFayette reached on a throwing error to drive home Bohl who opened the inning with a single to right field and senior Karl Kapinos (South Hadley, Mass.) followed with a run-producing triple down the right field line for the 6-4 score.
The hosts came back with a solo run in the bottom half of the frame before AIC put up another two-spot in the fourth on an RBI two-bagger from Geffert and run-producing base-knock by Starcun for the 7-6 margin.
The pitchers then settled in as the next three innings went scoreless until Barry added some insurance in the bottom of the eighth scoring four runs with just the benefit of singles and walks for the 11-6 final in the opener.
Senior Brian Karp (Bellmore, N.Y.) was dealt the loss after hurling 7.1 innings allowing nine runs all earned on 13 hits while walking one and fanning one to drop to 0-1. Junior Luis Deville (Miami, Fla.) secured the win for the hosts moving to 4-0 on the year.
Barry outslugged the visitors in game one, 15-6. Bohl crossed home three times in the opener while Starcun knocked home a pair and Kapinos turned in a 2-for-4 effort at the dish.
In game two it was again AIC putting early pressure on the Bucs as Geffert went big fly to left field for his first homer of the year and the 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Bucs then tied the game in the bottom of the second on a run-producing groundout for the 1-1 score.
Barry eventually took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as senior Ramon Valdez (Alberta, Canada) belted a solo homer to right and another run crossed home on a groundout for the 3-1 score.
Lafayette tied the score once again in the top half of the sixth inning with one swing of the bat as he sent a ball high over the left field fence for a two-run shot and a 3-3 tie.
With the score still tied heading to the bottom of the seventh inning sophomore Ryan Baldwin (Fairhaven, Mass.) drove the first pitch he saw to deep left center for the walk-off solo homer and 4-3 victory.
Sophomore Nick Kennedy (Longmeadow, Mass.) is the tough luck loser after tossing a complete game allowing all four runs on six hits while walking one and striking out a pair. Fellow sophomore Daniel Broeseker (Saftey Harbor, Fla.) picked up the victory after hurling all seven innings allowing three runs on three hits while fanning eight and walking one to improve to 2-0 on the year.
Lafayette went 2-for-3 in the finale as Barry outhit the Jackets 6-3
AIC returns to action tomorrow with a twin bill as they battle Stonehill at high-noon and conclude with Wilmington (Del.) at 3:30 p.m.
