'Cats Outlast SLU 8-7 for Series Win Sunday

Sunday, May 7

Davidson, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

24-21, 11-10

Saint Louis

26-18, 8-8

Saint Louis

Davidson

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

5/7/2017 5:06:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

DavidsonPhotos.com
Box Score (PDF) | Video Highlights

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson baseball pulled out a nail biter Sunday, defeating visiting Saint Louis 8-7 at Wilson Field.

The 'Cats take their fourth league series of the year and move to 24-21 (11-10 A-10) on the season, while SLU drops to 26-18 (8-8 A-10). Davidson pounded out 16 hits, the most since they tallied 17 at La Salle in early April.

Every member of the Davidson starting lineup recorded at least one hit, with six 'Cats delivering multi-hit performances. Sophomore Eric Jones led the way, tallying three, while seniors Brian Fortier, Jake Sidwell, and Tyler Agard and junior Alec Acosta turned in two each. Fortier and junior Cam Johnson each scored twice in the contest, while Johnson and senior Will Robertson launched back-to-back homers.

For the third time in as many games, Davidson attacked right away, getting on the board twice in the first inning. Johnson led off with a walk, advancing to third on a double ripped down the left field line from Fortier. Johnson then took advantage of a wild pitch, coming home for the first run, and Fortier later joined him after Jones singled through the left side.

Starting pitcher Evan Roberts was solid through his first four innings, allowing just one run off a solo shot in the fourth.

Things got interesting in the fifth, when SLU plated four runs to take a 5-2 lead. It was short lived, as the Wildcats put up six in the bottom of the frame to regain control.

Fortier led off with a single, moving to third on a single placed perfectly into right field from Sidwell. Sophomore Max Bazin chose the perfect time to push his second double of the season, lacing it down the left field line and allowing both veterans to score. Bazin then came home on a single to left center from Agard, leaving a man on with two outs. Enter Johnson, who sent the ball sailing over the right field wall, to steal the lead back. Robertson wasted no time following suit, taking the first pitch he saw and belting it over dead center.

The six-run fifth proved to be necessary, as the Billikens scored twice in the sixth to come within one. SLU got the tying run to third in two separate innings, including in the ninth with just one out.

Senior closer Westin Whitmire picked up his ninth save of the season, tying himself for single-season saves after also recording the same sum last season.

With his homer, Robertson has now extended his reached-base streak to 40 games, only two shy of the program record.

The 'Cats will be back in action for two midweek games, facing nationally-ranked North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and then taking on border rival Winthrop in a special home game played at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte.