By Nick Pipitone
When senior third baseman Ricky Caputo stepped into the batter’s box this past Sunday in the top of the seventh inning at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va., the Pride was holding on to a slim 2-0 lead. This score may sound pretty comforting going into the final inning, but when facing a top conference team like George Mason University (GMU), you’re scrapping for every insurance run you can get. Also, the Pride had never beaten GMU in 12 attempts.
So when Caputo drove a one-out pitch to dead centerfield for a solo home run, the Pride dugout let out a collective sigh of relief. The homer put the Pride up 3-0, and these were all the runs sophomore pitcher Will DeVito would need, as the Pride ousted the Patriots 3-2 to avoid a sweep in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) weekend series.
Caputo’s game-winning shot over the centerfield fence lifted the Pride to 15-19 overall and 4-8 in the conference, while GMU fell to 20-11 overall and 7-5 in the CAA.
“Those guys have been kicking my butt for three years,” head coach Chris Dotolo said, referring to GMU’s dominance over the Pride since his hiring. “And some of these kids have been on the team for three years and they’ve been getting smoked by these guys since 2001, so it was a good confidence builder for them.”
An even better confidence builder for the Pride-one that comes every Sunday-is when DeVito steps up to the mound. The sophomore transfer from Dowling College has clearly solidified himself as the staff ace and on Sunday, he proved his worthiness of that esteemed title once again. He pitched eight exceptional innings, scattering nine hits, allowing only two earned runs, and striking out four. As of Sunday, the Long Island native is 5-3 with a 3.98 ERA and 32 strikeouts, all team-leaders.
“Every Sunday we just go to the game knowing we’re going to win,” Caputo said, alluding to DeVito’s scheduled starts. “He’s just lights out.”
DeVito held the Patriots scoreless for the first seven innings, allowing the Pride offense to get in rhythm. The Pride got on the board in the fourth inning after sophomore Andy Campana singled to right field and GMU shortstop Matt York bobbled a cut-off throw, allowing first basemen Mike Walsh to score. Walsh scored again in the sixth inning off a fielder’s choice by Campana to give the Pride a 2-0 lead.
The Pride added to the lead with Caputo’s solo shot in the seventh and never looked back-not to say the Patriots didn’t make things interesting. DeVito allowed his only two runs of the day in the eighth on an RBI double by Matt Cooksey and an RBI single off the bat of Chris Looze, but got himself out of the inning. Sophomore closer Jeff Denlea relieved DeVito in the ninth, striking out one batter en route to his fourth save of the season.
“I think Sunday’s game showed that we can beat some of the top teams in our conference,” Campana said. “It’s definitely a lift for our team knowing that we can beat a George Mason, one of the top competitors in our league.”
Campana and Oliveri led the team at the plate, both hitting 2-for-3, and Walsh scored two of the Pride’s three runs. The Pride put in a good defensive effort, making up for their poor showing in Friday’s 9-5 loss and Saturday’s 5-3 defeat.
Junior shortstop Josh Stern connects on a pitch in a game against St. Francis College. Stern is second on the team with hits (43) and is hitting a scorching .328 this season. The Pride just earned its first ever victory over George Mason University. (Staff Photo)