RECAP >> Senior Dylan Lehman and sophomore Braden Waller combined on a four-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts as Emmaus presented Jeremy Haas with his first win as head coach as the Hornets opened up their 2019 season by defeating Nazareth 2-0 on a cold and blustery Tuesday at Church Lane Park.
Both left-handed pitchers were dominant in leading the Hornets to a 1-0 start as Lehman, the Game 1 starter and winner, struck out seven while scattering three hits in four innings of work, while Waller came on in relief and completely shutdown Nazareth hitters as he also struck out seven while giving up just on hit in three innings to earn the save.
Emmaus scored the only run they would need against Blue Eagles starter Jake Wilson in the bottom of the second inning on a one-out RBI Sac fly to center field from third baseman Wyatt Henseler scoring designated hitter and fellow senior Tyler Ritter who opened the inning with a walk.
The Hornets picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning as junior catcher Jadon Diaz lined a two-our RBI single to center scoring senior center fielder Brandon Robinson who led off the inning with a walk, stole second and moved to third on a ground out.
Emmaus won despite managing just four hits in the contest and stranding 11 men on base.
Wilson was the hard-luck loser for Nazareth despite pitching an outstanding game, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out six in 4 1-3 innings. The right-hander was hurt with seven walks.
The Hornets will be return to Church Lane Park on Thursday at 4 p.m. as they host Northampton.
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Emmaus 2, Nazareth 0
Naz – 000 000 0 – 0-4-1
Em – 010 010 x – 2-4-1
Naz – Jake Wilson, Owen Panovec (5), Ben Pinel (6) and Jonathan Stivala
Em – Dylan Lehman (4 IP, 3H, BB, 7 K), Braden Waller (3 IP, 1 H, 7 K) and Jadon Diaz
WP – Lehman (1-0), LP – Wilson, S – Waller
Em – SS Keegan Nytz (0-3), 3B Wyatt Henseler (0-1, RBI, 2 BB), RF Jude Negron (0-4), CF Brandon Robinson (1-2, 2 BB), 1B Kellan Tulio (0-2, BB), LF Justus Darville (0-1, 2 BB), DH Tyler Ritter (0-2, BB), C Jadon Diaz (1-3, RBI), 2B Joe Koprowicz 1-1), PH Nick Rodriguez (0-1), PH Matt Madigan (1-1)
In-game photos: Robert Thompson
