Jake Delaney drove in the game-winning run and seven Saints pitchers combined for a shutout as the St. Lawrence University baseball team defeated SUNY Poly 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Tom Fay Field.

St. Lawrence improved to 10-4 on the season, while the Wildcats dropped to 2-10 on the year.

"It was great to get on our field and get a win at home," said head coach Kenny Collins "The bright spot today was the pitching staff, we had seven different guys throw and they all had success. However, our bats were a little off today, we definitely need to make an adjustment before this weekend's series. Overall, it was a good team effort."

It didn't take long for the Scarlet and Brown to get on the board as they drove in a run in the opening inning. The inning started with a single from leadoff hitter Caleb Clark, then Nicholas Butler was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. With two down in the half-inning, Delaney came to the dish and delivered a single to right center field that scored Clark and gave the Saints the lead.

Offense was at a premium the rest of the way as SUNY Poly was only able to get one hit in the first eight innings of the game. The second and third innings went down in order for both teams as the game cruised along. Five of the Saints' seven pitchers allowed no hits and the seven combined for six strikeouts.

St. Lawrence was threatening in the bottom of the fourth, when Delaney reached on an error, then Jimmy Liberatore singled to left field. Ryan Courtwright sacrificed the runners into scoring position, but with two outs a groundout to third ended the threat.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Saints would get their second run of the game capitalizing on an error. Delaney not only drove in a run but scored one of his own as he reached first with a single to center, then advanced on a failed pickoff attempt by the Wildcats. Sean Desjardins was next to the dish and drilled a hard ground ball to the shortstop. The throw to first sailed on the first baseman which allowed Delaney the free pass home.



Another reason for the combined shutout was some sparkling defense, as early in the game Michael Goretti made a great play getting to a ball at the second base bag and throwing a runner out, then in the top of the seventh, Chris Watson kept the Wildcats at bay flashing the leather. Zach Byrum came to the plate for SUNY Poly with a runner on and hammered a ground ball that skipped off the pitcher's mound. C. Watson somehow got to the ball, stepped on second for the force, and fired a rocket to first to end the inning and shutdown the Wildcat offense.

Senior Huck Haun went to the hill in the top of the ninth with a win and a save opportunity on the line. Haun allowed a double and a walk with no outs to start the inning, which prompted a mound visit for the Saints. The senior used the breather to dial in and strikeout the next batter before getting the second out on a fielder's choice, that was nearly a double play. Haun shut the door immediately forcing a lazy pop up to right field to secure the save and the win.

First-year Dylan Barber, who started the game and pitched three innings, earned the win for St. Lawrence. Barber allowed no hits, no runs and struck out two in the impressive effort. John Igoe, Samuel Fosberg, Brenden O'Neil, Brett Parker, Joe Perras, and Haun each pitched an inning in the win in that order. The six combined to give up two hits, no runs, and struck out four.

The Scarlet and Brown will be back at home this weekend to take on Ithaca College in Liberty league action. The two teams will line up for a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m., then will play on Sunday at noon to wrap up the week.