The Washington and Lee men’s baseball team lost its series against Penn State Harrisburg on March 4, after splitting a home double-header the day before. They lost the first game 6 to 7, won the second game 9 to 7 and then ran dry in the third game with a 13-1 loss.

Bryce Burnette, ‘20, led the way for the Generals, batting 3 for 6 over the double-header hitting a double, a triple and knocking in five RBIs.

“I was just happy to be able to help my team out,” Burnette said. “I came up short the first game, making the last out, so I was really excited to get a second big chance…Everyone was so locked in that second game that, if I hadn’t done it, I’m positive someone else would’ve come up big. I just hope we can keep this rolling.”

The Generals have had a big year thus far at the plate, with 102 hits, 26 doubles, one triple and three homers across their first 12 games. Captain David Van Geluwe, ‘18, made note of the team’s prowess at the plate.

“The hitters have also done a great job buying into the new coaching philosophies and all have a great idea of what they’re trying to do when they step in the box,” he said.

Last week, the team again showed its commitment to competing well against other strong teams. They defeated top-ranked SUNY Cortland 7 to 6 on February 23, then fell to the Red Dragons the next day 11 to 4. The third game of the series was called off in the top of the fifth inning due to rain, but the Generals led the Red Dragons 4 to 2 after four innings.

“Being able to pull out a win against the number one team after a long road trip shows us what we are capable of as a team and set the bar even higher for the rest of the season,” said Zach Loewenberg, ‘19.

Loewenberg hit one of the team’s five doubles in the win over SUNY Cortland.

Peyton McCann, ‘21, took the win for the Generals, pitching five innings and giving up one unearned run on just three hits. McCann struck out four batters in his first collegiate victory.

This was the second time over the past two seasons the Generals have upset a top-ranked team. Last season, the Generals defeated Shenandoah University 3 to 1 on April 5, 2017, when the Hornets were ranked number one.

The team began the season with a tough out-of-conference schedule, including a 17 to 3 loss to Ferrum College at home on Feb. 28. The Generals will move into ODAC play March 10 with a double-header at Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville, Va.

While the team had a historic season last year, it has even bigger goals for this season.

“Some team goals this year are to win the regular season, win the ODAC championship and win 30 or more games,” said Kyle Ruedisili, ‘18, a team captain for the Generals. “We’ve also outlined a bunch of process goals for our team this year that will help us reach these outcomes.”

Ruedisili led the 2017 team with 43 runs scored, which is the third most in a single season in Generals history. He totaled eight doubles, three triples, five home runs and 32 RBIs over 160 at-bats. He was also named to the ODAC All-Tournament team.

The Generals will return to the field on March 6 against Southern Virginia University. The game will be held at the Cap’n Dick Smith Field at 4 p.m.