Lebanon Valley 2, Hilbert 1

LVC Starters
Edwards (2B), Puglisi (CF), Marcelli (LF), Fundell (1B), Albright (C), Kiessling (DH), Berry (3B), Z. Smith (SS), Harned (RF), Sell (P)

Hilbert Starters
Wujek (SS), Wurstner (CF), De La Cruz (DH), Bonafede (C), Moore (1B), Maier (3B), Perrin (RF), Haug (2B), Reynolds (LF), Hulbert (P)

How It Happened
FORT PIERCE, Fla. – Michael Puglisi hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning to give Lebanon Valley the lead which the Dutchmen held onto in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Hilbert (N.Y.) on Wednesday afternoon in Fort Pierce, Florida. LVC improved to 4-4 on the season, while the Hawks fell to 2-3.

Down 1-0 head into the top of the ninth, Matthew Smarkanic began the inning with a single for the Dutchmen. After a Hilbert pitching change, Zach Smith sacrificed Smarkanic to second, putting the tying run into scoring position. After a Jonathan Harned walk, Zac Edwards grounded out but moved Smarkanic and Harned to second and third. Puglisi came to the plate and with two strikes and two outs, the junior ripped a ball through the left side to score Smarkanic and Harned to give LVC its first lead of the game at 2-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, Nathan Smith, who came in to relieve starter Corey Sell, let the first batter on base, but ensued a pop up to the next batter. The next batter, a pinch hitter, hit into a game-ending 5-4-3 double play, giving the Dutchmen a thrilling come-from-behind victory.

Hilbert's starting pitcher Justin Hulbert stymied LVC's offense for the majority of the game, as the southpaw accumulated 12 strikeouts in 8+ innings for the Hawks, but was pulled in the ninth and the Dutchmen took advantage of the new pitcher by plating two runs.

Hilbert's lone run came in the fifth inning when Wujek bunted for a single with a runner on first and due to a throwing error, the runner scored all the way from first for the 1-0 lead.

On the Mound
Sell was phenomenal for LVC on the mound, going seven innings while giving up just four hits and no earned runs. N. Smith pitched two scoreless innings to earn the first victory of his collegiate career. The freshman gave up just two hits while striking out one.

At the Plate
Edwards, Puglisi, and Josh Marcelli each went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Edwards added a stolen base.

Who's Next?
The Dutchmen's spring Florida trip concludes tomorrow when LVC battles the University of Northwestern (MN) in a double header. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 11 a.m.