From NYU Athletics

The New York University baseball team scored nine runs in the first three innings and held on for a 10-8 victory over Case Western Reserve University at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship in Sanford, FL, on Wednesday, March 9.    

NYU (3-6, 1-3 UAA) scored four in the first, three in the second and two in the third to take what seemed like a commanding lead. However, the Spartans (6-5, 3-1) scored seven in the third and one in the fifth to pull within one.

But, the Violets never surrendered the lead and hung on for their first victory of the Championship.

"It was totally crazy," said NYU Head Coach Doug Kimbler. "We've stressed from day one to get ahead and stay ahead. And, somehow we did that."

What seemed like a laugher at the start, turned out to be a nail-biter. The first three NYU batters of the game were hit by pitches, and their four runs in the frame were scored on just one hit.   

One of those batters, Ryan McLaughlin, was hit again in the second inning and was driven in by Jake Smith. Colman Hendershot also drove in a run in the frame.

The Violets' two runs in the third both scored on bases-loaded walks, with the RBIs going to Smith and Adrian Spitz.

Chad Johnstone, the NYU starter allowed all seven runs in the third…but only one was earned. He was replaced by Matthew Wells, who got the last two outs of the inning on a strikeout and a pickoff and went on to pick up the victory.

NYU's final run of the game was produced by Smith, who homered in the eighth.

"We needed this win to get the big elephant off our backs," Kimbler said. "Hopefully, a game like this will give them some confidence and help them to learn a little more about each other."

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Wells allowed only one run in his three innings of work to help hold off the charging Spartans.

- Julian Henry, Cameron Serapilio-Frank and Matthew Millus allowed no runs and only one hit over the final 3.2 innings. Millus picked up his second save of  the season with a scoreless ninth.

- Smith finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, including the home run, scored two runs and drew a walk  

- Spitz and Hendershot each drove in two runs.

"We played good enough defense to win and we hit just enough to win," Kimber concluded.  "Any 'W' is a plus."