PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University baseball team (14-11, 5-3 CACC) swept a CACC doubleheader versus Caldwell on Saturday.
 
GAME ONE – W, 12-3
The Rams opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the first inning. Efrain Santiago led off with a home run and Vince Barone later scored on an error. Josh Lopez continued his hot week at the plate, bashing a two-run homer in the third to make it 4-0.
 
After putting just two hitters on base through the first four frames, the Cougars broke through in the fifth for three runs. Caldwell posted an RBI single, an RBI fielder's choice, and a sacrifice fly. However, the Rams responded with an eight-spot in the bottom half. Lopez drove in another run with a double and scored on a fielder's choice, Justin Espinal drove in two with a base hit, and Alex Gonzalez capped it off with a grand slam.
 
The Rams' pitching staff finished off the win, not allowing any further runs and conceding just three hits for the contest. Samuel Bass, AJ Churaman, and Steve Graziano combined for the victory.
 
Quick Hits
- Efrain Santiago: 1-for-3, HR, BB, 2 R
- Alex Gonzalez: 3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
- Vince Barone: 2-for-4, 2 R
- Josh Lopez: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
- Justin Espinal: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R
 
GAME TWO – W, 6-0
The Rams picked up right where they left off in the opener, pushing a run across in the first on a groundout. Jefferson made it 3-0 with a pair in the fourth. Arturo Figueroa drew a bases-loaded walk and Josh Lopez came home on a fielder's choice. The Rams tacked on three in the sixth as Ryan Sawyer was plunked with the bases full, and Matt Vita knocked in two with a base hit.
 
While the Jefferson offense did its job, the Rams' hurlers did so as well with Zack Austin and Anthony Pillari teaming up for the shutout. Austin struck out 10 across five innings for the win and Pillari did not allow a baserunner while fanning four of the five batters he faced for his second save.
 
Quick Hits
- Vince Barone: 1-for-2, RBI, R
- Arturo Figueroa: 2 BB, RBI, R
- Ryan Sawyer: 2 RBI
- Matt Vita: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
- Zack Austin: Win, 5.0 IP, 0 R, 7 H, 0 BB, 10 K
- Anthony Pillari: Save, 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K
 
NOTES
- Zack Austin hit double-digit strikeouts for the second straight outing and third overall this year.
- Jefferson batted .387 in game one.
- The Rams have won four in a row for the second time this season.
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson heads to USciences for a pair of games on Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m.