SALISBURY, Md. - Senior
pitcher Eric Willey threw a complete game 3-2
victory for No. 3 Salisbury University over Washington & Lee
University in the NCAA Division III South Regional on Wednesday
afternoon at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md.
Willey (10-3) threw 112 pitches, 77 strikes, for the top-seed
Sea Gulls who advance to tomorrow's 4:30 p.m. game against
fourth-seed Christopher Newport University (25-11-2). The senior
right-hander allowed two General runs on seven hits, walked one and
struck out five.
"I felt like I was sharper later then earlier in the game," said
Willey."I got my curveball over late in the game."
The game turned into a pitcher's duel as Washington & Lee
starting pitcher Chuck Davidson (6-3) went the distance for the
Generals as he allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits, walked
two and struck out four on 95 pitches, 66 for strikes. The game
went a brisk hour and 40 minutes before a crowd of 400.
W&L scored first as its scored twice off Willey in the third
inning. Catcher Will Lewis delivered a single to left field to
plate two runners with two outs.
Salisbury answered in the bottom half of the third with two runs
off Davidson on no hits. Senior Jordan Crystal led
off the inning and got plunked by Davidson to reach first base. Two
batters later sophomore Will Evans reached on a
fielding error by W&L first baseman Hunter Serenbetz. Sophomore
Andrew Miller walked to load the bases. Senior
second baseman Randy Boyle reached on a fielder's
choice as Crystal crossed home plate. Junior first baseman
Mike Celenza followed and grounded out but Evans
scored to knot the game at two.
The Sea Gulls scored the eventual game-winning run in the fourth
as freshman Bill Morton walked and then scored on
a RBI-double to right-center field off the bat of senior
Cody Collins.
That would be all the run support Willey needed as he finished
his second complete game this season.
"Eric got better as the game went on," said SU coach Doug
Fleetwood. "He is a senior All-American. You give him the ball and
let him go."
Washington & Lee is in the midst of it's first-ever
appearance in the NCAA tournament. The eighth-seed Generals (22-14)
will next face fifth-seed Washington & Jefferson College on
Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m. in an elimination game. The Presidents
lost 5-3 to the Captains.
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