Princeton University
0-5
VCU
3-6
Emus Pitches a Gem in Baseball's Late Loss to VCU
March 05, 2022 | Baseball
Richmond, Va. — Despite a stellar showing from junior pitcher, Jackson Emus, Princeton was handed a late, 2-1 defeat to VCU.
In his second start of the season, Emus threw 118 pitches in seven innings of work for 13 strikeouts, two walks, two hits, and one run allowed. The outing marked the first time a Princeton pitcher had at least 13 strikeouts since Zachary Hermans fanned 14 against Cornell in 2012.
The Tigers took an early lead in the second inning. After a leadoff double from the red-hot bat of Nadir Lewis, a passed ball allowed the smart baserunner to advance to third to put Princeton on the doorstep. Freshman Matthew Scannell plated his teammate with a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
Although Emus retired seven of the following eight Rams batters he faced—six of whom struck out—the hosts knotted the game at 1-1 with a solo homer into the wind and over the wall in left center.
After consecutive 1-2-3 innings for both sides in the fifth and sixth innings, VCU threatened in the bottom of the seventh having loaded the bases with two walks and a batter hit by pitch. However, Emus stood stoic on the mound and forced an inning-ending double play to keep the game tied at 1-1.
That threat from VCU would turn more palatable in the eighth, as an RBI single to first gave the hosts their first lead.
The Tigers inspired hope as Brendan Cumming led off the ninth with a single squeezed past the Rams' third baseman, but VCU stood firm to get the final three outs and steal the victory.
Princeton is back in action tomorrow, March 6, for a matchup against William and Mary at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wilson, Nolan (1-0)
L: Rabin, Reece (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Lewis, Nadir 1
RBI: Scannell, Matt 1
SF: Scannell, Matt 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lewis, Nadir 1
CS: Bandura, Scott 1
Batting:
HR: Locklear, Tyler 1
RBI: Mathis, AJ 1 ; Locklear, Tyler 1
SH: Benzin, Cooper 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Locklear, Tyler 1 ; Gibbs, Casey 1
SB: Amiss, Logan 1
HBP: O'Malley, Marcus 1
