Zigner, Ortega power Raptors to doubleheader sweep over Norwich

Kyle Zigner threw a complete-game shutout in a win over Norwich Sunday.

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - Two dominating complete games from starting pitchers, Kyle Zigner and Frank Ortega, propelled the Bard College baseball team to a pair of wins Sunday afternoon. 

The Raptors topped Norwich University, 1-0, in a defensive struggle to open the day, before the offense exploded for an 8-1 victory in Game Two. With the wins, Bard improved to 6-7 on the year, while the Cadets of Norwich fell to 0-14.

In Game One, the Raptors struck early in the first inning, thanks to an RBI single from Dillon Daine. Daine drove in David Schlosser, who tripled in the previous at-bat for the game's only run.

That was all junior Kyle Zigner needed on the afternoon, as he was dealing from the first pitch. The right-hander went all seven innings, fanned three and allowed just five hits in the win. 

The only time the Cadets even threatened the Raptors came in the top of the second, as they were able to get a man on third with just one out. However, Zigner responded by striking out the next two batters, leaving the guests with no chance to tie the contest.

On the other side, Jake Ryan (Arlington, MA) pitched a great game for the Cadets in the loss. He finished with a complete-game and allowed just three hits, while striking out four. The first inning triple and RBI single were his only blemishes on the day.

In Game Two, things continued to click for the Raptors' pitching staff. 

Frank Ortega pitched a complete-game for Bard, allowing just one run on four hits. He finished with six strikeouts and tied the season-high for wins in a year with his third win of 2018. 

Much like the first game, the Raptors were in control from the get-go in Game Two.

After Bard and Norwich traded runs on wild pitches to open the game, Daine smacked another RBI single in the bottom of the third to put the Raptors up. From there, the hosts answered with six more runs to easily secure the win.

Freshman Jordan Myers went 2-for-3 in the game with three RBIs, while Rory Maglich collected two hits and two RBIs.

Daine, Schlosser, Matt Lasky and Esteban Rivera also smacked two hits each in the win.

The Raptors also set a new single-game record with nine stolen bases in the Game Two win, as Norwich's starting pitcher, Ed Gates (Griswold, CT) failed to hold the runners all game long. 

Up next for the Raptors is Liberty League Opening Day, as they travel to Skidmore College on March 30th for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and you can follow the contests right here.