April 4, 2004
NEW YORK - Alec Smith retired the final 13 batters in a 4-2 complete-game victory and Jake Doyle went 5-for-9 with four RBI on the day, as the Yale baseball team split a doubleheader with Columbia at Andy Coakley Field on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs sent nine batters to the plate in a four-run first inning in game one, highlighted by a Doyle two-RBI double, while a Yale a comeback fell short in the nightcap as the Lions held on for an 11-7 victory.
In the opener, Randy Leonard, who had two sliding catches in center field today, lined a one-out single to center and stole second to ignite a Yale rally. Two batters later, John Janco singled home Leonard and stole second, while Matt Stone followed with a walk, after fouling off three consecutive full-count pitches. Doyle doubled home Janco and Stone, and after C.J. Orrico was hit by a pitch, Eric Rasmussen capped the scoring with a RBI-double to left to score Doyle to give Yale a 4-0 lead.
Columbia (7-14, 5-3 Ivy) responded in the bottom of the first, as Fernando Perez doubled home Jorge Livermore. Perez stole third and scored on a wild pitch to cut Yale's lead in half.
Smith (3-2) would settle down after the first, allowing one baserunner (a one-out, third-inning single to Livermore) the rest of the way for his second complete game of the season. The 6-3 righty faced two over the minimum without allowing a walk and has only walked four batters in 31.2 innings this season.
In game two, Yale's five-run third inning cut a six-run deficit to one. Marc Sawyer's one-out RBI single scored the Bulldogs' first run, then two batters later Matt Stone's infield hit scored another run. Doyle followed with a two-run double and C.J. Orrico had an RBI-double to pull the Bulldogs within one.
The Lions recovered part of their initial lead with a three-run fifth to take a 9-5 lead. John Janco, who went 6-for-14 on the weekend, smashed a two-run homer to right center to bring Yale within two.
Columbia scored five times in their first at bat off Yale starter Mike Mongiardini (0-3) and recorded three straight run-scoring triples, while Livermore delievered second-inning leadoff triple eventually scored on a Perez sac-fly to give the Lions the early 6-0 advantage.
Doyle completed the weekend 9-for-16 with nine RBI, while Justin Ankney had an 11-game hit streak snapped in game one today, but went 2-for-5 in the second game.
The Bulldogs return to action to face Iona on Wednesday afternoon at Yale Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.