The University of Mary Washington baseball team opened the 2022 season with a doubleheader split with Castleton University on Saturday at V. Earl Dickinson Stadium. The Eagles dropped the opener, 4-1, before taking the nightcap, 17-4.
In game one, the Eagles outhit the Spartans, 6-4, but came up on the short end. Castleton scored single runs in the first without a hit, and in the second on an RBI double. UMW scored its run in the fourth, as Nick Ciufredda doubled and scored on a Norman Holcomb single. Castleton scored single runs in the fifth and sixth on a wild pitch and another RBI double.
Sophomore Brandan McComber took the tough-luck loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits in four innings, with three walks and two strikeouts.
In the second game, the Eagles built a 6-2 lead early, and exploded for a 10-run fifth en route to a 17-4 win. UMW jumped ahead in the first, as Jacob Christenbury singled, Ty Lowe doubled to score him, and Noah Roots followed with an RBI triple to plate Lowe.
After the Spartans tied the score in the second, UMW answered with four in the bottom of the inning. Singles from Sam Freeborne, Owen Reilly, and Christenbury loaded the bases, Bobby Ayscue doubled to right center to plate two runs, and another run scored on an error. Roots hit a sacrifice fly to plate Ayscue with the fourth run of the frame.
UMW scored 10 in the fifth to break the game open. Holcomb provided a two-run single, Xavier Herring followed with a three-run double, and Lowe added an RBI single. Roots posted a two-run double and Freeborne added a two-run single.
After Castleton scored once in the sixth, Herring provided a sacrifice fly to cap the Eagle scoring. Castleton added one in the ninth for the final 17-4 margin.
Roots led the offense with a single, double, triple, two runs scored, and four RBI. Freeborne had three hits with two runs scored and two RBI. Christenbury and Lowe each had two hits.
Alex Kobersteen gained the win for UMW, allowing two unearned runs in five innings on two hits, with three walks and six strikeouts.
The Eagles will be back in action on Friday when they face Stevenson University at 11:00 a.m. at Dickinson Stadium.