Myrtle Beach, S.C. – The Le Moyne College baseball team recorded a 4-1 win over the University of Bridgeport Purple Knights on Saturday at The Ripken Experience, marking the second straight game that the Dolphins have held their opponent to one run in a winning effort.

The 'Phins won in walk-off fashion during the second half of their doubleheader against Saint Thomas Aquinas on Friday, as sophomore right fielder Wyatt Patchett (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) drove the ball down the left field line in extra innings to knock in Philip Zollo (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) from second and give Le Moyne a 2-1 victory.

On Saturday afternoon, the Le Moyne defense shined behind stellar pitching performances from graduate right-hander Jacob Maser (Chittenango, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)) and freshman righty Eric Swiencicki (Lancaster, N.Y./St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute).

"Our defense was outstanding behind great pitching performances from Jake and Eric. Nick Nevins had a day both at the plate and at shortstop, making some great plays throughout the game. It definitely is a game for us to build on," said Le Moyne head coach Scott Cassidy '98 after the win.

Maser started on the mound for the 'Phins and allowed just one run in 5.0 innings of work to earn his first win of the season, then the rookie Swiencicki held the Purple Knights scoreless for the final 4.0 innings to earn his first career save. Maser walked just one batter during his outing, and Swiencicki did not give up a single free base via a walk or hit by pitch during just his second collegiate appearance.

"My guys in the infield were making plays," said Maser after the win. "Brady [Fureno] had a great day behind the plate. It just feels good to get a win… I think we have a really resilient [pitching] staff. We have a lot of older guys, seniors, transfers who know what they're doing on the mound. We also have a good group of young guys, like we saw with Eric [Swiencicki] today getting the save. [We have] just a really good, sound group of guys [on the pitching staff] who are gonna make some noise this year," added Maser.

With Maser and Swiencicki pounding the zone, the Purple Knights put the ball in play with frequency, but the Le Moyne defense consistently made plays behind their flame throwers.

Senior shortstop Nick Nevins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) tallied a career-high eight assists at shortstop against Bridgeport. Several of his high-difficultly plays in the infield occurred early on in the contest, then the left-handed hitting Nevins mashed a two-run home run over the right field wall in the top of the fourth inning to break the tie and give the Dolphins a 3-1 advantage. During his next at bat in the top of the sixth, Nevins went the other way and hit a line drive into left field for a base hit.

"(Making plays in the field) helped me keep a clear mind during my at bats. You just have to come out and make your plays… when you have a guy throwing a lot of strikes like Jake [Maser] did today, you gotta be ready for the ball," said Nevins after the game.

It was the first home run of the year for Nevins, who launched three long balls in 2022.

Graduate first baseman Dewey Roden (Sherrill, N.Y./Vernon-Verona-Sherrill/UMass Lowell) also blasted his first home run of the season against the Purple Knights, a solo shot over the center field wall in the top of the eighth that gave the 'Phins an insurance run.

"(The home run) felt great. It was a long game today, and I think the extra run helped support our team and bring up the vibes in the dugout. It was a great win for the 'Phins," said Roden.

Graduate second baseman Drew Carroll (Clifton Park, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy (Albany)) hammered two doubles during the non-conference win, while Patchett and redshirt-sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Jordan Goldmann (Encinitas, Calif./Canyon Crest Academy/Palomar College/Grossmont College) both scored a run for the 'Phins.

Carroll and freshman third baseman Lukas Egenhauser (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) both recorded four assists and made timely plays in the field for Le Moyne.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning and Le Moyne hanging on to a 3-1 lead, Bridgeport threatened with runners on first and third. A slow roller was hit towards third base, and the Bridgeport runner at third raced for home. Egenhauser charged the ball, fielded it cleanly, and smoothly made an accurate throw on the run to first base that got there just in time, ending the inning and preventing the Bridgeport run from scoring.

After Roden went yard in the top of the eighth to give Le Moyne a 4-1 lead, Bridgeport put runners on first and second with zero outs in the bottom of the inning, bringing the tying run to the plate. Purple Knight sophomore infielder Vin Mallon hit a deep fly ball to right center that looked like it might drop into the gap. Junior center fielder Zach Brush (New York Mills, N.Y./Utica Notre Dame) got a good jump on the ball, ranged to his left, made the catch near the wall, then fired the ball back towards the infield quickly, which prevented either runner from advancing.

Swiencicki then got a fly ball to right field for the second out, and struck out the next batter to fire up the Le Moyne bench and leave both Bridgeport baserunners stranded.

Le Moyne left a runner on third in the top of the ninth, but Swiencicki delivered a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the frame to secure the win for the 'Phins. Swiencicki allowed just three baserunners during his 4.0 innings of work.

The Le Moyne baseball team will play their final game of the weekend at the Ripken Experience on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. against Mercy College.