April 13, 2003

Worcester, Mass. - The Navy baseball team swept a doubleheader from Holy Cross Sunday afternoon at Fitton Field, defeating the Crusaders 4-1 and 11-4. Team captain Rich McDevitt turned in another great outing on the mound in the opener, while the Navy offense pounded out 18 hits in the nightcap.

"Anytime you can sweep a doubleheader on the road, it's a good accomplishment," Navy head coach Steve Whitmyer said. "We played well today and I'm very pleased with the first-three guys in our lineup (Pete Curnow, Chris Ashinhurst, Craig Candeto). They had multiple-hit games today and were a great catalyst for our offense."

Navy (12-15, 6-4 PL) opened the doubleheader with a two-run first inning off HC starting pitcher D.J. Lucey. Curnow doubled to left and scored on Ashinhurst's RBI-single up the middle. Ashinhurst came home from second two batters later when Rusty Hearn singled through the right side of the Crusader infield.

In the bottom of the third, HC put runners on the corner with two outs but McDevitt got Joe McCabe to fly out to left.

The Mids plated a run in the third and fourth innings to build a 4-0 lead. Doug Silverman scored on Candeto's double in the third and Matt Lukevics' sacrifice fly to left plated Matt Foster in the fourth, who reached on a triple.

HC threatned in the bottom of the fifth when the Crusaders loaded the bases with one out after a Lukevics fielding error at second. Joe McCabe hit into a fielder's choice and Tucker Frawley was thrown out at second. Navy tried to turn the double play but McCabe beat the throw to first, allowing Bill Andruskevich to score an unearned run from third. Bill Schell flied out to center, ending the inning.

McDevitt was outstanding for the Mids, striking out seven batters and scattering five hits to improve to 3-4 overall. In the last three games, the team captain is 3-1 with 32 strikeouts and has allowed just six earned runs (28.2 innings). Lucey fell to 1-2 overall with the loss.

"Our defense really stepped up early and established itself," McDevitt said. "The defense made a lot of great plays in the field and kept their hitters at bay. It was important for us to come out and win the first game." Curnow and Ashinhurst each had two hits and scored a run. Candeto added a double and a RBI.

In the second game, Navy exploded for three runs in the top of the first off HC starter John Dibble. Curnow scored on Ashinhurst's RBI-single to center and Foster then belted a two-run double to right, plating Ashinhurst and Dean Farmer.

Navy continued the offensive onslaught in the second, pushing across four runs on six hits to take a 7-0 lead.

HC (7-15, 3-7) touched up Navy starter Andy Froistad for three runs in the bottom of the third, aided by two Midshipmen errors. Schell belted a two-run double to left and later scored with two outs when Farmer was unable to handle a fly ball in right.

However, Navy answered in the fourth with a pair of RBI-singles by Hearn and Silverman and a run-scoring double by Candeto in the top of the fifth, his third double of the day.

The Crusaders continued to battle in the sixth, as Ed Turner scored from second on a double to center by pinch hitter Peter Pasciucco off Navy relief pitcher Matt Cooney. Reliever Joe Koessler replaced Cooney and got the final-two outs of the sixth and closed out the contest in the seventh to complete the Navy sweep.

Ashinhurst went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored, while Curnow batted 3-for-4 with a double, two stolen bases and two runs scored. Candeto tallied two doubles and two RBIs with a run scored. Farmer, Foster, Hearn and Silverman all had two hits apiece.

Froistad worked five innings, allowing just three runs (one earned) on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts to improve to 3-0 overall. Dibble lasted just 1.1 innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits to fall to 2-4.

"McDevitt gave us another outstanding performance," Whitmyer said. "Froistad did what he needed to do by putting us in position to win the second game. He did that and were able to battle and get it done. We have a lot of respect for Holy Cross and I know they'll come out ready to play tomorrow."

Navy and Holy Cross will conclude the series with a doubleheader Monday beginning at 12 noon.