By Jared Redding

 As the temperature got colder, Lafayette’s bats got warmer

The Lafayette Commodores used an explosive second inning to carry themselves to a 13-4 victory over Marshall Academy at W.V. Brewer Field on Thursday, bringing their winning percentage to .500 for the first time this season.

It was not always easy, the Commodores were left in a 3-0 hole midway through the second inning and it could have been worse if the Patriots were able to score the three runners they left stranded.

“We got off to a really slow start,” Lafayette coach John Walker said. “I don’t know if it was really the weather. As far as the culture in our dugout tonight, it wasn’t like the way we like it until things started turning in our favor. Fortunately, we were able to rebound and got some focus back in and got to work.”

The spark that they needed early on came from catcher Marshall Merchant. His RBI double began what was a productive inning. The Commodores (2-2) had a 5-3 lead after two innings and never looked back. They were also aggressive with their base running during that stretch.

“That was massive. It broke it open,” Walker said. “We are a team, offensively, that relies on pressure. We really have pressure unless we get people on base. We had stuff in the works there, scoring runs and bringing pressure.”

Merchant went 2-for-3 at the plate and had a run scored. Hunter Coleman went for a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. The Commodores stole six bases on the night.

“We have been practicing really hard this week. We have been hitting some deep balls and hitting really well,” Merchant said. “We just got on a roll. That’s just what you have to do to win ball games.”

Freshman Taylor Tarver (1-0) pitched four complete innings and recorded four strikeouts. Zach Meagrow picked up the save and recorded six strikeouts. Walker thought his freshman pitcher showed some heart in his first varsity start.

“It’s a testament to (Tarver) that he was able to pitch and have some success without having his best stuff.” Walker said. “That is a big thing for a kid that is in the ninth grade, having a guy that can gut through tonight. Meagrow was fantastic. He just mixed his pitches up, throwing fastballs and breaking balls. They just had no answer for him.”

Lafayette will remain at home this Saturday to take on the New Albany Bulldogs at 1:00 p.m.