QUINTIN JAMES
Special to The Leader
The Blue Devils played a total of two games this week, as their others were postponed due to weather conditions being too poor to play in. Coming off a Florida trip, where the Blue Devils struggled in close games, these two games were far from close, as they split their games this week. A 17-1 win against Hilbert and a 10-1 loss against Penn St.-Behrend capped off a week in which the games were very one sided.
The first game was against Hilbert, in which the Blue Devils bats were alive in their home opener for the season. It was a hit parade, as the Blue Devils had 20 hits in the game. They were led by Quinn Danahy, who went three for three and had a career high of five RBIs. Also, Kenny Johnston had three hits and three RBIs, while Mike Prentice had two doubles in the game. Vincent Sherman also had three RBIs in the blowout.
Freshman Steve Zaprowski collected his first two hits in his college career, going two for two. On the mound for the Blue Devils was Zach Jordan, who went five scoreless innings, striking out five and earning his third win of the year.
The second game of the week didn’t go so well for the Blue Devils. The bats that were alive and well got cold and didn’t show up to the game. Apparently they didn’t get the memo, and the Blue Devils only mustered one run against Penn State Behrend team, losing 10-1 in the first annual “Cup Game.” These teams play every year in the Battle of I-90, and Fredonia lost their first matchup ever.
Jake Horford started off the game but gave up six runs in the top of the second inning. Fredonia couldn’t come back from that, as they were behind the whole game. The Blue Devils committed three errors in the game, affecting its overall outcome. After the second inning, the Blue Devils pitchers calmed down to retire 17 of the next 19 batters. But three walks and a hit batter led to four runs in the eighth for Behrend to seal the game.
Vincent Sherman continued his hot week by getting two hits on the day. The Devils just couldn’t string hits together to dig out of the hole they put themselves in early on.
SUNYAC games are in full force this week as the Blue Devils play conference opponents Brockport, New Paltz (double header) and SUNYAC powerhouse Cortland (double header) next week, all at home. If the Blue Devils can have a good week and steal a couple of games, they will be in the hunt in the conference.