PASADENA, CA (March 16, 2018) – Sophomore southpaw Max Spencer posted one of the best starting pitching performances in program history on Friday afternoon, as he tossed eight innings of scoreless ball to help the Vassar College baseball team knock off California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 5-0 in action from North Field.
 
The sophomore allowed no runs and two hits over eight innings, as he became Vassar's first starter to allow no runs over eight or more innings since a nine-inning complete game in program history by John McGregor April 28, 2012 against Clarkson, one of only two 9-inning shutouts in program history. Vassar's only other complete-game shutout over nine innings came April 26, 2007 against New Paltz, as Nick Bell allowed no runs, four hits and struck out four. 

The two hits allowed were the fewest ever by a starter that went eight or more innings. Spencer also fanned six and walked only one.
 
"Just a lot of strikes, throwing fastballs early; one thing I wanted to focus on was fastballs and change-ups early in counts," said Spencer. "That was really working as I was able to keep them off-balance with the change-up. Credit to our fielders…no matter where they hit it they were chasing it down."
 
The Brewers (2-2) didn't need much offense with the way that Spencer threw the baseball, but they got all they would need in the top of the first inning. Freshman Tanner Blough walked to start the game, and moved to third on the next play after an error. Later in the inning, sophomore Evan Trausch drove in Blough with an RBI groundout to put VC up 1-0.
 
VC added to its lead in the top half of the second, as Taylor Smach was plunked with one out to start the rally. Junior catcher Jake Doyle singled through the right side, and freshman Gunnar Widercrantz laid down a perfect drag bunt down the third-base line to load the bases. Freshman Matt McGannon and senior Matt Hernandez followed with back-to-back walks to force in a pair of runs and make the score 3-0.
 
From that point on, the pitchers for both teams took over, as Spencer and fellow left-hander from Caltech Jonah Kopp dueled through the middle innings. Vassar added on two more in the top of the eighth to make the score 5-0, doing all of its damage with two outs.
 
Sophomore Robert Pinataro singled after pinch hitting to start the rally, and Blough reached on an infield hit before stealing second base to put runners at second and third. Freshman Elliott Layne pinch-hit and for the second time this trip, delivered a big two-run hit, this time singling between first base and the mound, which allowed Blough to come around from second to score.
 
All the offense was more than enough for the VC starter, as Spencer retired the final 10 batters he faced to collect his first win of the season and first as a starter. Senior Derek DeMild worked the ninth in his first outing of the year, pitching around a two-out double to help keep the shutout intact.
 
Vassar had seven hits on the day, led by Blough who finished 1-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk. VC's defense, which has been sharp to start the season, was once again stellar making no errors.
 
Caltech was led by Garrett Levine, who posted two of the three hits on the day for the Beavers (3-13). Krop finished with eight innings pitched for Caltech, allowing four earned runs and seven hits while walking five and striking out seven Brewer hitters.
 
"The biggest thing was Max Spencer's presence on the mound today," said head coach Matt Righter. He and catcher Jake Doyle had full command of his pitches, they had a good plan on how to approach the hitters and both of them executed extremely well. We were also able to capitalize with some small ball, which led to most of our scoring. Those are some of the examples of small jobs leading to wins. Overall, happy with the energy of our team so far this week."
 
Vassar will look to extend its winning streak Saturday afternoon, traveling to La Verne, CA to take on the University of La Verne at 11 a.m. PDT in action from Campus West Athletic Facility.