Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. The New England College baseball team punched their ticket into the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship after downing Mitchell College, 5-0, on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
Score: New England College 5, Mitchell College 0

Records:Pilgrims (24-15, 10-6 NECC) | Mariners (33-7, 15-1 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a three up three down top of the first inning, NEC jumped on the board in the bottom half of the inning. Christian Aybar ripped a ball to left field that forced Dougie DelaCruz to make a diving catch for. DelaCruz made the play, capping off a highlight reel play. Just a few pitches later, Anderson Jimenez drove a ball back up the middle to give the Pilgrims their first baserunner of the contest. He was later driven in by an Evan Delaney two-run homerun to left field. The big fly put him in a tie for the team-lead at seven. After the first, NEC led, 2-0.

The Pilgrims threatened in the third inning, which they would eventually capitalize on. Jameson Carey reached on a throwing error by the shortstop before Aybar singled to left field. A sacrifice bunt by Jimenez moved the runners over to second and third. Connor Morin being hit by a pitch loaded the bases. However, Delaney put a ball in play that looked like it would be a double play ball but a muffed throw by the first baseman extended the inning. The play also scored two runs. Xavier Nunez continued the inning with an RBI single that scored Delaney. The three-run inning gave NEC a 5-0 lead through three innings of play.

Mitchell found their way into the hit column in the top of the fifth inning when Stephen Pagan hit a single to center field. The ball was just out of reach from both Aybar and Jimenez. However, Powers got the next batter to roll a ground ball that the Pilgrim defense turned a double play on. That got NEC out of the inning. Delaney reached base on a walk in the fifth. That extended the trend for the Pilgrims of having at least one baserunner in every inning. Nunez won a long battle with Mariner pitcher, Roland Thivierge. He fouled off three pitches with a full count before singling to left center field. However, a flyout ended the inning and left two runners on base.

Markus Melendez ripped a single back up the middle for Mitchell's second hit of the day in the seventh inning but a grounder by the next batter gave NEC their second double play of the day. Jimenez kept his strong day at the plate going with a one-out double in the bottom of the seventh. He was later picked off to end the inning and get Mitchell out of a runner in scoring position jam.

A base hit by Peter Abate in the top of the eighth inning gave Mitchell base runner and brought their four batter of the inning to plate. This was the first time in the game that the Mariners had more than three batters come to the plate. However, a groundout got NEC out of the inning.

Nick Powers allowed three hits in the complete game effort. The senior improved to 6-1 on the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
-This was the third meeting all-time between the Pilgrims and Mariners. Mitchell leads the series, 2-1.
-This was also the third meeting this season between the two squads.
-The Pilgrims had a baserunner reach base safely in the first five innings of play.
-Nick Powers allowed his first hit in the fifth inning. Through seven innings, he did not face more than three batters in an inning.
-The Pilgrims snapped Mitchell's 19-game win streak.

UP NEXT
Sunday, May 5^th vs. TBA, 11 a.m., NECC Championship