THE BASICS

Game 1: Emerson 10, Bethany Lutheran 0

Game 2: Buena Vista 20, Emerson 9

Game 1 Pitching Decision: W – Johnny Maffei (1-0) L- Brody Curtiss (0-1)

Game 2 Pitching Decision: W – Nolan Faber (1-0) L - Benny Guevara (1-1)

Location: Tucson, AZ (Kino Sports Complex)

Date: March 9, 2022

Weather: Sunny, 67

The Lead: Senior outfielders Quinton Copeland and Lou Davolio would each have five hits on the day to go with another outfield assist from Copeland and Senior hurler Johnny Maffei would go the distance in game 1, throwing a complete game shutout. Maffei punched out 7 during his stellar performance. In the backend of the doubleheader, despite a multi-hit, multi-RBI game from Senior Joe Colucci, the Lions were unable to overcome a potent offensive attack from Buena Vista.

GAME ONE: Emerson 10, Bethany Lutheran 0

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON LEADERS

Quinton Copeland: 3 for 4, with 1 RBI and 2 XBH (1 HR)

Lou Davolio: 3 for 5 with 3 RBI, 1 HR, and 3 runs scored

Chris Ferara: 3 for 4 with 3 XBH (1 HR), and 3 runs scored

Calvin Jacey: 2 for 5

Pitching:

Johnny Maffei: Complete game shutout with 7 strikeouts and just 4 hits.

BETHANY LUTHERAN LEADERS

Ben Hopper: 1 for 3

Garret Hoffman: 1 for 3

Pitching:

Brody Curtiss: 9 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), 8 strikeouts through 6.1 innings pitched

Alex Kreiling: 1 strikeout and 0 earned runs through 0.2 innings pitched

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After an uneventful first three frames that saw Senior Johnny Maffei and Bethany Lutheran's Brody Curtiss trade scoreless innings, Senior Lou Davolio got things going for the Lions offense with a solo shot that cleared the right field wall.
• Gaining momentum off of the Davolio shot, Junior Chris Ferara smoked a double into the left-center gap. Freshman Briggs Loveland swapped places with him with a double of his own, and was brought in by a Jake Okamoto single, extending the Lion lead to 3-0.
• After yet another scoreless inning by Maffei, Junior Matt Nachamie roped a double to score Davolio, giving the Lions a 4-0 advantage.
• Continuing to deal, Maffei kept his shutout intact through 6 innings, and received some more insurance in the top of the 7th from a Copeland homerun; his first of the year.
• The Lions got to show off their defensive prowess in the bottom of the 7th, turning a slick 6-4-3 double play (Thai Morgan-Loveland-Ferara).
• In the road half of the 8th, Ferara padded the Lions lead with a long ball of his own, a solo shot, pushing the Lions lead to 6-0.
• Giving the Lions offense their 3rd straight scoring inning, Davolio brought in Copeland and Senior Josh Cohen with a 2-run single.
• Putting the nail in the Viking's coffin Ferara doubled for his 3rd extra base hit of the day, scoring Davolio and Morgan.
• In an inning that saw him get his 7th strikeout of the day, Maffei slammed the door, retiring the Vikings in order. Maffei went the distance, finishing with an efficient four-hit shutout.

GAME TWO: Buena Vista 20, Emerson 9

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON LEADERS

Joe Colucci: 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored

Quinton Copeland: 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and 1 run scored

Matt Nachamie: 1 for 2 with a HR, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Pitching: 

Lucas Simms: 0 earned runs, and only 1 hit through 2 innings pitched

Max Mandel: 1 strikeout and 1 earned run through 1 innings pitched

BUENA VISTA LEADERS

Jordan Mathewson: 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, 2 XBH, and 3 runs scored

Evan Taylor: 3 for 5, with 1 BB, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Kyler Corcoran: 2 for 3, with 2 BB, 3 RBI, and 4 runs scored

Pitching:

Nolan Faber: 5 strikeouts and 6 earned runs through 4 innings pitched

Austin Scott: 2 strikeouts and 2 earned runs through 2 innings pitched

Michael Demers: 1 strikeout and 0 earned runs through 1 inning pitched

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Getting the start in the second game of the day for the Lions, Sophomore Benny Guevara kept the Beaver's bats quiet, recording his 1st strikeout of the day.
• The Beaver's offense exploded in the top half of the 2nd, putting up a 5-spot, largely in part to a long triple by Kyler Corcoran; driving in 2 runs.
• Down 5-0, the Lion's bats quickly answered as Junior Jake Hatch was able to reach base on a dropped third strike. The Beaver's threw the ball away and Ferara was able to score to open the Emerson scoring.
• After getting runners in scoring position, Senior Joe Colucci drove a ball well over the centerfielder's head to score Hatch and Senior Calvin Jacey to cut the Lion deficit to just 2 runs. The Lions were able to tack on one more run, making the score 5-4 after 1 inning.
• In the road half of the 3rd, Freshman Ezra Charles came in to pitch with the bases loaded and an untimely error led to the Beavers extending their lead. After a few hits, including an Evan Taylor single that plated 2, Buena Vista led Emerson 11-4.
• In the top of the next inning, the Beavers were able to capitalize on multiple Emerson errors and push their lead to 16-4.
• Despite the 12-run deficit, the Lions weren't done yet as Junior Matt Nachamie launched a mammoth solo shot over the left field fence.
• Senior Rory Tettemer followed up with an opposite field triple and Copeland added to his growing total of hits on the day with an RBI single, plating Tettemer.
• Morgan strategically placed himself in the midst of a pickle between first and second, allowing time for Copeland to score the third run of the 4th inning for the lions. Morgan was tagged for the third out, but not before the Lions cut the Beaver's lead to 16-7.
• Freshman Lucas Simms, making his college debut, came in in relief of Charles and stymied the dynamic Buena Vista offense by setting them down in order.
• A few more errors in the road half of the 6th allowed the Beavers to push three more runs across; all unearned.
• As has been the case in previous innings, the Lions answered immediately as Colucci singled in Jacey. Jacey had reached on a triple down the right field line earlier in the inning.
• Continuing with the hit parade in the home half of the 6th, Copeland lined a ball straight back up the middle to bring in Colucci. This capped the Lions offensive output for the day, making the score 19-9 in favor of the Beavers.
• In the top of the 7th, Sophomore Max Mandel came in and threw an effective inning. The Beavers were able to add one more run; making the score 20-9.
• Aside from a Davolio single that was erased by a double play, the Lions went down quietly in the home half of the 7th and that would be all as the run-rule came into play. Final Score Buena Vista 20; Emerson 9.

UP NEXT

The Lions look to bounce back and close out their spring break trip as they face-off against No. 10 Aurora at 1:30pm MST on Thursday March 10^th.