Ephs Stage a Huge Comeback to Win 10-5 at Skidmore

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Down 5–0 through three innings Williams College stormed back behind timely hitting, lights-out relief pitching, and late-inning power to secure a 10–5 victory over Skidmore College this afternoon. This game moved the Ephs to 12-8 on the season.

The Thoroughbreds jumped out to the early lead, sparked by a four run second inning, capped by Zachary Leiderman's two-RBI single through the right side. In the third, another RBI from Tyler Holm stretched the margin to 5–0.

But the Ephs didn't flinch.

In the fifth, Sasha Palma got Williams on the board with a laser double to left, bringing Ryan Nakajima home. Two batters later, Lucas Asanovic continued his hot stretch with a sharp double of his own, plating Palma and cutting the deficit to 5–2.

The comeback gained steam in the sixth. After Henry Juan doubled to right-center to drive in Ben Swank, Nakajima kept the line moving with a two-out RBI that allowed Juan to score, making it a one-run game. Then, with one out in the seventh, Swank evened the score, launching a solo homer over the left-field fence, to knot the game at 5–5.

Meanwhile, the Eph bullpen slammed the door. Daniel Okstein and Matt Keene each tossed a scoreless inning in relief, and JH Vaughan, getting his second win of the season, struck out three over two scoreless innings to keep Skidmore quiet while the offense found its footing.

The breakthrough came in the eighth. After Nakajima scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, Sasha Palma worked a walk and advanced to third on a single by Owen McHugh. With two on and nobody out, Asanovic, in cinematic fashion, delivered the dagger, a three-run homer far over the left field fence that gave Williams a commanding 9–5 lead. Asanovic's first homer of the season gave him a team-leading four RBIs on the day. The Ephs tacked on one more in the ninth when Henry Juan scored on a balk. 

Asanovic starred in all aspects. After putting the game away, he went on the mound in relief, preserving the lead and notching two strikeouts on the day, securing the W for the Ephs.

Eph head coach Bill Barrale was pumped for his team to come away with a big road win, saying, "It was a great comeback win versus a good Skidmore team." He was also proud of the play of his first years, adding, "We had a lot of young guys step up in a big way".

The Ephs return to action on Thursday with a midweek matchup versus Vermont State University in Castleton, VT, starting at 4 P.M.