Fortier Blasts Lead 'Cats to Comeback Win Friday

Friday, February 24

Davidson, N.C.

6:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

3-2

UMass Lowell

1-4

UMass Lowell

Davidson

Photo by: DavidsonPhotos.com

Fortier Blasts Lead 'Cats to Comeback Win Friday

2/24/2017 11:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

DavidsonPhotos.com
Box Score (PDF)

DAVIDSON, N.C. – A career day from senior Brian Fortier led Davidson baseball (3-2) to a Friday night victory at Wilson Field, downing UMass Lowell (1-4) 8-5 on a come-from-behind performance.

Fortier launched two three-run homers to give Davidson both its first and final leads, going 3-for-4 on the day. It was the first time in his career he's had a multi-homer day, and has now matched his career total, already hitting four home runs this season.

Junior Cam Johnson also registered three hits, including a double to left center as part of the 'Cats two-run 8^th inning, and senior Jake Sidwell scored twice and turned in his second three-walk game of the season.

Davidson broke the game open early, after sophomore Eric Jones singled to second base, Sidwell took his first free pass, and Fortier took the first pitch he saw and belted it up on the hill above the left field wall.

UMass Lowell used a two-run homer and a triple with a RBI groundout to tie the game up in the first two frames, and then used a double, wild pitch, and single to score the go-ahead run in the 6^th. The River Hawks increased their lead to 5-3 in the 7^th, using another double-single combo to score.

Enter Fortier. After Johnson pushed a single to the gap in right center and Sidwell walked yet again, the veteran again sent the ball to his left field sweet spot, putting Davidson in the lead.

The 'Cats added cushion in the 8^th, when sophomores Max Bazin and Justin Lebek each took four-pitch walks. Johnson brought Bazin home with his double, and Jones brought in his classmate after sending the ball down to third and Lebek beat the throw to the plate.

Senior Cody White picked up his first win of the year, and ace Durin O'Linger also registered a career-best, fanning nine across six innings. Their classmate, Westin Whitmire, picked up his first save of the year, and needs just two more to move into third place all-time in program history.

Davidson returns to action Saturday, facing Lehigh at 5 p.m. The Mountain Hawks are coming off their first game of the season, where they rolled over Fairleigh Dickinson 16-8.