MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The New England College Baseball Team's offense and pitching connected as the Pilgrims swept the two games Sunday evening. Alex Perez stifled Wells with 17 strikeouts in a 15-5 win before Harutaro Takahashi drove in three in NEC's 14-5 win over Albertus Magnus in the nightcap at the Ripken Baseball Spring Training Experience.

THE BASICS
Score: New England College 15, Wells 5 (Game One)
New England College 14, Albertus Magnus College 5 (Game Two)

Records: Pilgrims (4-2, 0-0 NECC) | Express (3-6, 0-0 United East) | Falcons (0-1, 0-0 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One – New England College 15, Wells College 5

New England College started fast, as they would plate a pair in the bottom of the first. Michael Ciccotelli drove in a run before a JD Normand seeing-eye single snuck through the left side of the infield.

The Pilgrims expanded on their lead in the bottom of the fourth as they plated four runs in the frame. Tyler Gendron drove in one with a single to left field before JD Normand scored on a wild pitch. Lucas Giallongo capped off the inning with a two-run single to shallow left field.

NEC continued to expand their lead into the bottom of the fifth, as Gendron doubled to deep right field, scoring Connor Morin and Ciccotelli on the play. Kyle Dobrie recorded his first collegiate hit as he drove in Devin Parsons with a single up the middle. Wells picked up their first hit of the game, as Zack Odum singled to left-center field with one out in the top of the seventh in the eighth; the Express got on the board, as they scored three runs on a bases-clearing double from Justin Colindres. The Pilgrims responded with four of their own, as Sylvain Audet tripled to left field. Wells plated two runs to cut into the final score in the top of the ninth.

Alex Perez got the start for NEC, as he went 8.0 innings with 17 strikeouts and 0 earned runs.

Game Two – New England College 14, Albertus Magnus College 5
Albertus Magnus was the first team to score, as Bobby Arent doubled home Ron Losacano in the bottom of the third inning. The Pilgrims would breakthrough in the top of the fifth as they plated three runs. Aaron Robertson, Pat Hagerty, and Kyle Dobrie all scored on in the frame.

New England College broke the game open in the top of the sixth, as they plated seven runs on four hits. Ciccotelli and Morin each had two-RBI hits in the frame. The Pilgrims continued to pull away, as they scored two in the eighth and two in the ninth. The Falcons were able to strike four times in the bottom of the eighth, but the NEC lead was too great to cover come.

Shaun Cormier went 6.0 innings, striking out eight and allowing just four hits.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• In game one against Wells, Alex Perez started the game with 17 straight strikes, including two strikeouts.
• With 17 strikeouts in game one, Alex Perez was tied for the most strikeouts this year.
• This is the first time NEC and Wells have faced each other, as New England College leads the all-time series.
• NEC leads the all-time series over Albertus Magnus 3-0 now.

UP NEXT

• NEC vs. Salem State, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Tuesday, March 15, 10:00 am
• Wells vs. Westminster (Penn), Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday, March 14, 9:00 am
• Albertus Magnus vs. Salem State, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday, March 14, 9:00 am