The Hoyas returned home last weekend about two-thirds of the way through the season and rebounded with two wins over Rider University after losing in blowout fashion against Navy last Tuesday.
Defensive mishaps against the Midshipmen (31-14, 15-6 AAC) cost the Hoyas (13-26, 2-4 Big East) dearly at Terwilliger Brothers Field in Annapolis, Md. Georgetown committed three errors on a single play in the bottom of the first inning, allowing three runs to score. The Hoyas committed four more errors in the third, allowing seven runs to score and falling behind 12-1 after the third inning.
The Hoyas’ offense underperformed as well, mustering a mere three runs over the course of the entire game. The lone highlights came from sophomore infielder Eddie Mccabe and junior first baseman Freddy Achecar III, who each had a pair of hits. The Midshipmen, in contrast, drove in five more runs, easily expanding their lead over Georgetown. The sum of these struggles was a 17-3 loss for the Hoyas.
Georgetown bounced back after the blowout loss, however, winning both games of the Saturday doubleheader at home against Rider University.
The Hoyas won the first game by a score of 12-7. The offense came back to life after the tough loss against Navy, producing 15 hits and 12 runs, which was Georgetown’s first time scoring double-digit runs in the last 18 games, according to GUHoyas.
Junior right-hander Nick Morreale started the game, earning the win on six innings pitched and three runs allowed. At the plate, graduate student outfielder Kyle Ruedisili led the Hoyas with three hits and two RBIs. Achecar III added three hits of his own and an RBI.
Georgetown jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, thanks to a double from Ruedisili and an RBI single from senior infielder Ryan Weisenberg. Then the floodgates opened in the bottom of the second. The Hoyas cycled through the lineup, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs, taking a commanding 8-0 lead.
Sophomore catcher Ryan Davis opened the bottom of the fourth with a home run over the left-field fence. Georgetown tacked on two more runs in the inning, extending its lead to 11-0, effectively ending the game. The Hoyas scored one more in the sixth as they cruised to an easy victory.
The second game of the doubleheader was not quite as smooth, though Georgetown narrowly defeated Rider 10-9. Ruedisili remained hot, hitting a home run and driving in two runs. Davis hit a home run as well, and sophomore catcher Alex Gamache went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
The Hoyas led 5-3 through five innings. However, the Broncs (13-26, 4-8 MAAC) scored two runs in the sixth to tie the game and four more in the seventh to capture a 9-5 lead.
Georgetown responded in the bottom of the seventh. With two runners on base, Davis pinch-hit and delivered a three-run home run to left field, closing the gap to 9-8. After two more runners reached base, sophomore outfielder Kai Nelson hit a fly ball to center. The Broncs’ centerfielder mishandled the ball, and the runners came home, giving the Hoyas a 10-9 lead.
The Rider Broncs nearly tied the game in the top of the ninth. With two outs and a man on second, junior outfielder Sebastian Williamson singled to left field. The baserunner attempted to score, but Nelson launched a well-directed throw home, beating the runner and securing a win for the Hoyas.
Georgetown will return to the field Wednesday, April 24, taking on The George Washington University at home. Big East play resumes this weekend, with the Hoyas facing St. John’s in a three-game home series.
