Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – The New England College Baseball team takes their first game of the New England Collegiate Conference Baseball Tournament, as Connor Morin walks it off for the Pilgrims in the bottom of the 11th inning, in a 4-3 win over Elms College.
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 4, Elms College 3 – 11 Innings
Records: Pilgrims (16-13) | Blazers (8-13)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Nathan Ayala got the scoring started in the top of the second, as he hit a solo homerun to left field. The Pilgrims were able to load the bases in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to tie the game. New England College was able to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth, as Devin Parson scored on a Luca Giallongo sacrifice fly to right field.
The Blazers were able to regain the lead in the top of the seventh, as they plated two runs on an AJ Cook single to center. NEC was able to get a run in the bottom half of the frame, as BJ Minarcin had a pinch-hit solo home run to lead off the inning. Giallongo then had a double but was stranded at second base.
Down by one run in the bottom of the ninth, the Pilgrims were able to load the bases and tied the game, as Connor Morin was hit by the pitch, plating Devin Bedell on the play. In the bottom of the 11th, Morin hit a full-count pitch into the right-center gap, scoring Dylan Merrow on the play, winning it for the Pilgrims.
Joseph Pascucci got the start for NEC, as he went 10.0 innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- With Minarcin's homerun in the seventh, it is the second straight pinch-hit homerun for the Pilgrims.
- In the last two games, NEC has won on walk-off hits.
- Following the game, the Pilgrims lead the all-time series 7-0.
UP NEXT
New England College will now take on top seed Mitchell College tomorrow at 12:30 pm.
