DALLAS, Pa. ­­– Spencer Butz, Kody Phillips, and John Teehan each launched a home run for the Lebanon Valley College baseball team, helping lead the program to an important doubleheader sweep of Misericordia University on Saturday, April 18, at Tambur Field. LVC delivered an exciting 7-4 victory in eight innings during the first game, while winning the second contest 7-5.   

Game One 
The Dutchmen (14-20, 8-9 MAC Freedom) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, taking an early 1-0 lead over the Cougars (24-11, 13-4 MAC Freedom). The club started the rally with a walk by Phillips and a single to right-center field by Lucien Burger, while a sacrifice bunt by Butz advanced the runners to second and third. Phillips later crossed the plate on a wild pitch. Connor Smith then pitched a scoreless bottom of the first for Lebanon Valley, getting out of the frame with a groundout to third baseman Daniel Palmieri to strand runners on first and second.

Smith posted another zero for LVC in the bottom of the second, picking up two strikeouts in the process. The Flying Dutchmen then added a run in the top of the third inning, taking a 2-0 advantage. Butz got things started with a two-out single to center field and advanced to second on an error. Palmieri followed this with an RBI single to right field, knocking in Butz. In the bottom of the third, Smith retired the side in order with a groundout to Palmieri at third base, a groundout to Owen Berry at shortstop, and a flyout to Burger in left field. 

Lebanon Valley crossed the plate again in the top of the fourth, going up 3-1. Berry stepped up to the plate with runners on the corners with one out and reached on a fielder's choice to shortstop, driving in Tyler Satterfield. Misericordia then got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, narrowing the score to 3-1. The Cougars also hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning and an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 3-3. Parker Tarnoci then pitched a scoreless bottom of the seventh inning for the Dutchmen, notching the third out with a strikeout swinging to leave runners on the corners. The score remained even at the end of the seventh, prompting the contest to enter extra innings. 

Lebanon Valley scored four runs in the top of the eighth, claiming a 7-3 lead. Devin Kreger led off with a single to center field before Butz drove a two-run home run over the left-field fence, scoring pinch runner Matthew Kendall. Berry later stepped into the batter's box with the bases loaded and drew a walk, plating Kenny Palmieri. Phillips also walked with the bases full, bringing home Teehan. Misericordia responded with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, making it a 7-4 game. Cole Kingsbury then came out of the bullpen to pitch for LVC and notched the final two outs of the victory. The first-year sealed the win with a flyout to right fielder Kenny Palmieri and a strikeout swinging, leaving the bases loaded.  

Inside the Box Score

• Butz tied a game-high two hits and a game-high two RBIs, including a two-run home run for his second homer of the year. The senior also scored a game-high two runs. 
• Berry tied a game-high two RBIs and drew a walk.
• Daniel Palmieri logged a hit, an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base.
• Phillips tied a game-high and season-high two walks, drove in a run, and scored a run. 
• Kenny Palmieri hit a double and crossed the plate once. 
• Teehan registered a base hit and a run scored. 
• Satterfield tallied a hit-by-pitch, a stolen base, and a run scored. 
• Kendall scored a run. 
• Burger had a base hit and a walk. 
• Kreger picked up a base hit. 
• Joey Santora matched a game-high and career-high two walks. 
• Tarnoci improved his record to 2-0 this season, striking out a batter in 1.1 hitless innings of relief.
• Kingsbury earned his first career save, tallying a strikeout while recording the final two outs of LVC's victory.
• Smith tied a game-high three strikeouts. 
• Jonathan Klein struck out a batter. 

Game Two 
Starting pitcher Landon Sexton began the contest with a scoreless bottom of the first inning for Lebanon Valley (15-20, 9-9 MAC Freedom), getting out of the frame by picking off a runner at first base. The Dutchmen then opened the scoring in the top of the second, taking a 2-0 lead over Misericordia (24-12, 13-5 MAC Freedom). The club loaded the bases with a walk by Teehan, a single to center field by Satterfield, and a walk by Santora. Phillips then launched a grand slam over the left-field fence, plating Teehan, Satterfield, and Santora.  The Cougars countered with a run in the bottom of the second, narrowing their deficit to 4-1 on an RBI groundout. 

The Flying Dutchmen crossed the plate again in the top of the third inning, taking a 5-1 advantage. The program loaded the bases on a walk by Butz and bunt singles by Daniel Palmieri and Kenny Palmieri. Butz later scored on a double play. Sexton then posted a zero for LVC in the bottom of the third, striking out two batters in the process. Misericordia later added a run in the bottom of the fourth, narrowing the score to 5-2 on an RBI groundout. 

Lebanon Valley tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth inning, extending its lead to 7-2. Kenny Palmieri got things started by hitting a one-out double to left field and stealing third base. Teehan then sent a two-run homer over the left-field fence, plating Kenny Palmieri. In the bottom of the fifth, Trey Dianna pitched a shutout frame for the Dutchmen and recorded a strikeout.

The Cougars scored again in the bottom of the sixth, trimming their deficit to 7-3 with an RBI single. Misericordia also hit a two-run triple with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, making it a 7-5 contest. Lebanon Valley then secured its second victory of the afternoon with a groundout to Teehan at second base, stranding a runner at third base. 

Inside the Box Score

• The victory secured Lebanon Valley's season series win over Misericordia.
• Phillips tied a game-high three hits while setting a game-high and matching a career-high with four RBIs. The sophomore hit his first career grand slam, marking his first homer of the campaign. 
• Teehan hit a two-run home run for his first career homer and drew a walk, while tying a season-high two runs scored. The first-year also matched a season-high two RBIs.
• Kenny Palmieri matched a game-high and season-high three hits, set a game-high and tied a career-high two stolen bases, and scored a run.
• Butz picked up a base hit, tied a game two walks, and scored a run. 
• Satterfield registered a hit and crossed the plate once. 
• Santora tied a game-high and career-high two walks while scoring a run. 
• Burger tallied a pair of base hits.  
• Daniel Palmieri picked up a hit. 
• Kendall stole a base. 
• Kreger drew a walk.
• Lebanon Valley outhit Misericordia 12-7.
• Dianna earned his second win of the season and tied a game-high two strikeouts. 
• Sexton matched a game-high two strikeouts. 

Up Next 
Lebanon Valley will be back in action on Tuesday, April 21, at 3:30 p.m., when the program will travel to take on Eastern University at The Yard in St. Davids, Pa.

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