Ettrick, Va. – Junior catcher/third baseman Gabe Levanti (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker/Northeastern) recorded three hits in his Dolphin debut and redshirt junior righty Ryan O'Kane (Memphis, N.Y./Bishop Ludden) struck out eight in the nightcap to lead the Le Moyne College baseball team to a sweep of Virginia State University on Friday at Whaley Colbert Field. The Dolphins won the opener, 4-1, and defeated the Trojans, 9-2, in the nightcap.

The Dolphins scored all the runs they would need in the opening game on four hits in the first inning. Sophomore designated hitter Brian Cox (North Kingstown, R.I./North Kingstown) led off with a single and came around to score on a double by senior second baseman Brett Charbonneau (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker). Junior center fielder Donato DiNorcia (Naples, Fla./Seacrest Country Day) followed with a single to plate Charbonneau. After stealing second, DiNorcia scored on a double by Levanti. Two batters later, Levanti scored on a sacrifice fly to center by redshirt junior right fielder Mark Martin (Sauquoit, N.Y./Sauquoit Valley/Bryant).

The Trojans got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth on one hit and a Le Moyne error. Second baseman Julian White was hit by a pitch with one out and then right fielder Jamison Griffin singled, while White took third on an error. White then scored as third baseman Aaron Harris reached on a fielder's choice.

Freshman righty Sam Walsh (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) won his collegiate debut after striking out three over five and two-thirds innings, while yielding one unearned run on seven hits. Sophomore lefty Cody Barnes (Norwich, N.Y./Norwich) earned his first career save after striking out three of the four batters he faced. Levanti finished the game with three hits, while Charbonneau and DiNorcia each had two. Jacob Wells took the loss after giving up four runs on seven hits in five innings of work.

In the nightcap, the Dolphins struck for two runs on one hit in the first inning. Cox and Charbonneau drew consecutive walks to start the game. After an out, Levanti singled to drive in Cox. Martin then grounded out to plate Charbonneau.

In the second, Cox singled to center with one out, took third on a double by Charbonneau and then scored on a pop out by DiNorcia.

Virginia State scored twice in the bottom of the second on three hits. White doubled to right field to open the frame and Griffin followed with a single to right. Harris then doubled to center to plate White and Griffin.

The Dolphins extended their lead to 8-2 in the fourth with five runs on two hits and two Virginia State errors. Senior shortstop Dylan Swetman (Honeoye Falls, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima) reached on an error by the pitcher to start the inning, moved to third on a ground out and then scored on a pop out by Charbonneau. DiNorcia followed with a double to left and then Levanti and Martin were hit by pitches to load the bases. Sophomore left fielder JT Pittman (Ashland, Mass./Ashland/Bridgton Academy) then singled up the middle to clear the bases. Senior first baseman Pat Wright (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) then reached on an error by the third baseman, which allowed Pittman to score.

The Dolphins completed their scoring with a run on one hit in the seventh inning. Freshman third baseman Josiah Gray (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) led off with a single in front of the plate and then came around to score on a one-out ground out by Cox.

O'Kane tallied eight strikeouts over six innings, while yielding two runs on six hits, to earn his seventh career victory. Larry Stephens took the loss after giving up nine runs (four earned) over seven innings, while striking out three.

Le Moyne (2-0) returns to the diamond on Saturday against Post University at 4:00 p.m. at the Dinwiddie Sports Complex in Dinwiddie, Virginia. The team's weekend schedule was flipped as the Dolphins will now take on Mercyhurst University on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. instead of on Saturday, while Saturday's game with Post was originally scheduled for Sunday.