NEW LONDON, Conn. – The New England College Baseball team salvaged a New England Collegiate Conference split at Mitchell College. After dropping game one 4-1, the Pilgrims bounced back with a  4-1 win over the Mariners Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
Score: Mitchell College 5, New England College 3 (Game One)
New England College 4, Mitchell College 1 (Game Two)

Records: Pilgrims (5-7, 1-1 NECC) | Mariners (13-5, 1-1 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One – Mitchell College 5, New England College 3

New England College was the first team to get on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Brady Phillibotte had a leadoff double before scoring on a JD Normand single to center field. The Mariners responded in the bottom of the frame as Lelo Martinez doubled home Angel Galindez.

Mitchell took the lead in the third before adding an insurance run in the fourth to go up 3-1. The Pilgrims would tie the game in the top of the fifth, as Michael Ciccotelli hit a two-run home run, plating Philibotte on the play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Juan Abreu drove in a pair to regain the lead for Mitchell, which was enough to win the game for the hosts.

Shaun Cormier went the distance on the mound for NEC, as he allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out four.

Game Two – New England College 4, Mitchell College 1

NEC was the first team to score for the second straight game as Normand singled to right field, plating Philibotte on the play. The Mariners tied the game in the bottom half of the frame, as Abreu scored on a fielder's choice.

New England College regained their lead, as they plated three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Devin Parson tripled down the right-field line, scoring Pat Hagerty and Normand on the play before Parsons scampered home on a Luca Giollango single to center. In the bottom of the seventh, Corey O'Day shut the door to pick up his first collegiate save.

Shayne Audet went 6.0 innings, as he scattered three hits while striking out 11.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Philibotte went 3-for-7 on the day with three runs scored.
• With a win in game two, the Pilgrims snap Mitchell's ten-game winnings streak and NEC's five-game skid.
• Mitchell leads the all-time series, 7-4.

UP NEXT

• NEC at No. 3 Eastern Connecticut, Sunday, March 27, 12:30 pm
• Mitchell vs. Wesleyan (Conn.), Sunday, March 27, 1:00 pm