Velez, Lengle Blank Knights on Four Hits as Defense Shines

EMMITSBURG, MD – March 24, 2026 – Pitchers Joaquin Velez and Carson Lengle combined to scatter four hits, and the University of Valley Forge defense played error-free baseball as the Patriots shut out Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.) 2-0 on Monday afternoon at MSI.

Velez (1-0) earned the win with 4.2 strong innings of work, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 2 and walking 3. The right-hander worked out of trouble multiple times, stranding seven Knights runners on base through his outing.

Lengle came on in relief and was nearly unhittable, allowing just 1 hit over 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out 3 batters. The duo held Mt. St. Mary to an 0-for-7 performance with runners in scoring position, consistently making pitches when it mattered most.

Valley Forge struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Gabriel Murphy drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a walk to Juan Lopez. After both runners moved up on a wild pitch, Brayden Tunnell lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Murphy and give the Patriots a 1-0 lead.

The Patriots added an insurance run in the fourth inning when Asijah Evelyn was hit by pitch and Josh Zollo followed with a single. After Asijah advanced to third, he scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

Josh Zollo led the offensive effort, going 2-for-2 with a single and reaching base via hit-by-pitch. Murphy also reached base in both of his plate appearances (1-for-1, BB, HBP), while Aaron Zapata and Chase Timmons each collected a hit.

The Patriots demonstrated excellent situational hitting and patience at the plate, drawing 4 walks while only striking out twice. Valley Forge's aggressive approach on the basepaths kept pressure on the Mt. St. Mary defense throughout the contest.

Mt. St. Mary (0-1) managed just four hits against the Patriots' pitching tandem. A. Marshall, R. Lamping, S. Volk, and G. Harrison each recorded a single, but the Knights couldn't string together consecutive hits to mount a serious threat.

The Patriots' defense was spotless, committing zero errors while executing three pickoffs to keep Mt. St. Mary's running game in check. Valley Forge's pitchers also caught three Knights runners off base, showcasing excellent attention to detail and execution.

The victory marked the Patriots' eighth win of the season and showcased the kind of fundamental baseball that wins close games—timely pitching, error-free defense, and manufacturing runs when opportunities arise.

Game Notes:

• Velez and Lengle combine for 4-hit shutout
• Patriots commit zero errors on defense
• Valley Forge records three pickoffs
• Zollo goes 2-for-2 with HBP
• Gabriel Murphy reaches base in both plate appearances

Box Score Summary:

• Valley Forge: 2 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors
• Mt. St. Mary (N.Y.): 0 runs, 4 hits, 1 error