WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary baseball team used an offensive explosion to defeat Army on Friday afternoon 21-3. The Tribe had four multi-run innings, including a nine-run bottom of the seventh on the way to its biggest Opening Day run total since 2006. With the win, the Tribe improves to 1-0 on the season, while Army falls to 0-1.
Senior Ryan Lindemuth led the Tribe offense, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Junior Michael Katz finished the game with a two-run home run and a three total RBIs. All nine Tribe starters recorded a hit in the game with seniors Kevin Nutter, Lindemuth, Willie Shaw, Kevin Casey, and freshman Tim Hoehn recording multi-hit games. Meanwhile, Nutter, Lindemuth, Katz, Hissey, Casey, and Hoehn recorded multi-RBI games as well.
Junior starting pitcher Jason Inghram was equally impressive on the hill. He tossed six innings allowing one unearned run, scattering five hits, and fanning eight batters. Inghram was credited with his first win of the season.
The Tribe offense produced four-runs in the bottom of the third inning, and never looked back. With one out, Thompson singled to centerfield, starting the rally. Lindemuth followed with a single to right field, but the ball was bobbled, which allowed the runners to reach second and third. The next batter, Katz sent a sacrifice fly to center, scoring the season's first run. After a walk to Shaw, Hissey doubled off of the left field wall, plating two runs.
William and Mary used a two-out rally to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lindemuth reached on a hit by pitch, starting the rally. Katz followed with a towering home run over the left field wall to give the Tribe a 6-0 lead. With the bases cleared, Shaw and Hissey each reached base. Casey followed with a single to center that brought home Shaw for the third run of the inning.
Leading 12-1, the Tribe unleashed for nine runs in the home half of the seventh inning. W&M sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning, and eight of the nine batters in the lineup reached base during the frame.
Freshman Daniel Powers and junior J.T. Castner combined to toss the final three innings for the Tribe. Powers pitched the seventh and eighth giving up two runs, while Castner pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
William and Mary's 21 runs were the most in a season opener since Feb. 21, 2006 when the Tribe scored 22 against Georgetown. The win was also the first career coaching victory for head coach Brian Murphy, who was named to the position in December 2013.
The Tribe and Black Knights continue their series tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. The game will serve as Military Appreciation Day, where all active military, their families, and veterans receive free admission. The series finale is Sunday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. All games will be played at Plumeri Park.
