HOBOKEN, N.J. ­­– Dylan Mennillo hit a single to extend his hitting streak to three games, as the Lebanon Valley College Baseball team dropped a 9-0 decision to Stevens Institute of Technology in its series and Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom opener on Friday, March 14, at Dobbelaar Baseball Field at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. Spencer Butz also got on base twice for LVC, advancing his hitting streak to four contests with a single while drawing a walk. 

The Ducks (4-7, 1-0 MAC Freedom) loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning, but starting pitcher Jacob Detwiler got out of the jam for the Dutchmen (5-9, 0-1 MAC Freedom). The junior recorded the first out with a strikeout swinging before Kameron Wetzel fielded a ground ball and stepped on the bag prior to throwing it to first baseman Logan Brewer for the inning-ending double play. Stevens then opened the scoring in the bottom of the second, taking a 2-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI unassisted groundout to first base. 

Lebanon Valley's lineup got some runners on base in the top of the third inning, as Mennillo hit a two-out single up the middle and Butz walked. Detwiler followed this with a zero in the bottom half of the third, registering a groundout to shortstop, a groundout that he fielded on the mound, and a strikeout looking. The Flying Dutchmen also kept competing in the batter's box in the top of the fourth, as Kody Phillips sent a one-out single up the middle. Detwiler then retired the side in order in the bottom of the fourth for LVC, logging a groundout to third base, a strikeout swinging, and an unassisted groundout to first base. 

Tony Bennage entered the game to pitch for the Dutchmen in the bottom of the fifth inning and faced a bases-loaded situation with one out. The reliever got out of the frame when Stevens' third baseman hit a ground ball to Mennillo at second, who flipped the ball to shortstop Owen Berry before he fired it to Brewer at first base for a double play. The Ducks then added two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of solo home runs before hitting a two-run homer to right-center field in the bottom of the seventh inning, taking a 6-0 advantage.

Lebanon Valley continued to battle at the plate in the top of the eighth inning, as Devin Kreger led off the frame with a single up the middle. Later in the inning, Butz got on base with an infield single to third base. Stevens then tacked on three in the bottom of the eighth on an error and a two-run single to second base, prompting 9-0 to be the final score. 

Inside the Box Score

• Butz reached base twice with a hit and a walk. The junior's single in the top of the eighth extended his hitting streak to four games. 
• Mennillo recorded a hit with a single in the top of the third inning, extending his hitting streak to three games. 
• Phillips picked up a base hit with a single in the top of the fourth. 
• Kreger led off the top of the eighth inning with a single. 
• Detwiler struck out three batters in 4.1 innings on the mound. 
• Bennage tallied a strikeout in 2.2 frames of relief. 

Up Next
The Dutchmen will return to action tomorrow, Saturday, March 15, as the club will host the Ducks for a doubleheader to close out the series in its home opener at McGill Field. The first game of the twin bill is scheduled to begin at noon.

Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, X, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC Athletics.