PITTSBURGH, Pa. – La Roche baseball held its home opener on Tuesday afternoon, but were unable to get past Geneva, 17-5, in a game called with two outs in the bottom of the sixth due to darkness.
The day began with a tribute to the late David Lemley Sr., who passed away in November and gave back so much to La Roche baseball, all voluntarily.
David Sr.'s son, David Jr., the all-time home run leader in program history, was in attendance and threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The Redhawks started quickly, as Dimitri Gary belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first to grab a 3-0 lead.
Unfortunately, the Golden Tornadoes had a response, scoring four in the top of the second and third, followed by two in the top of the fourth, building a 10-3 lead.
The final two Redhawk runs scored in the bottom of the fifth, when Brandon Snyder and Andy Sopata both walked in runs.
Geneva would finish the scoring with three in the six and four in the seventh.
Sam DiCicco got the start and in the defeat, tossed 1.1 innings, allowed four runs, five hits, three walks and struck out one.
Five relievers combined to throw 5.2 innings, allowed 13 runs (11 earned), eight hits, six walks and two strikeouts.
Josh Dreyer and Tanner Schmitt led the way for La Roche, both going 2-for-4 at the plate.
The Redhawks now gear up for a trip down south, beginning with a doubleheader against Pfeiffer on Sunday, Mar. 9. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. of game one.