LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. —Solid hitting, excellent base running, and clean defense allowed Lincoln University to cruise to rather smooth victories Saturday at Lincoln Field.
The Lions defeated Saint Paul's College 18-6 in the first game and 19-4 game two. The sweep was Lincoln's first since March 14 of last year, and with the pair of wins, Lincoln (4-20) surpasses last year's win total. Kyle Brooks (Baltimore, Md./Seton Hill HS) (Baltimore, MD, Seton Hill) (1-3) and Phillip Tomsic (Bangor, Mich./Bangor HS) (Bangor, MI, Bangor) (1-6) picked up their first wins on the hill. Tomsic also had a 3-RBI double in game one.
Jamie Taylor (Nottingham, PA/Oxford Area) (Nottingham, PA, Oxford Area) capped the memorable day with an “absolute bomb,” according to Lincoln head coach Anthony Plá, for LU's final runs, a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth.
It was Jamie Taylor (Nottingham, PA/Oxford Area)'s first-career homer, a blast that easily sailed over the fence in left center and up the hill. Taylor, a dual athlete, on both Lincoln's football and baseball teams, proved his versatility and potential.
“I didn't think I was going to get in at all today,” said Taylor. “It feels good taking advantage of the opportunities when given.”
Although he is a reserve outfielder, Taylor has taken advantage of limited opportunities. Last week, he broke up a no-hitter versus Wilmington College with a lined shot up the middle.
“He has a whip in his swing that you can't teach,” Plá said. “He took advantage of his opportunity, and it's nice to see a young guy do that.”
The first game ended in the fourth inning by default due to an injured Tiger player. With only nine players traveling, Saint Paul's was unable to continue, but Lincoln had all but won the game, amassing 18 runs behind monster hitting from the start.
The Lions scored nine runs in the first inning. Tomsic emptied the bases on the first pitch he saw, driving in
three runs with a double. Later, Alejandro Rosario (Doradas, Puerto Rico)poured home two more runs with the first of his two RBI doubles.
A six-run second and a 15-2 lead secured the game prior to the Saint Paul injury problems.
In the second game of a double header, the Lions continued their offensive onslaught from their previous game against the Saint Paul Tigers.
The Tigers were scoreless in the third, fourth and fifth innings, which allowed the Lions to lead 17-3 after five. Tomsic (1-6) pitched the first six frames while Rosario closed out the win in the seventh.
— LU —
