WORCESTER, Mass. – The New England College Baseball team could not overcome an early deficit, as they fell to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 8-4, in non-conference action Friday evening.

THE BASICS
Score: Worcester Polytechnic Institute 8, New England College 4
Records: Pilgrims (6-8, 1-1 NECC) | Engineers (10-5, 0-0 NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

WPI started fast, as Andrew Cash hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first before Jacob Hand drove in one run with a double to center field. The Pilgrims got on the board in the top of the third inning as Luca Giallongo scampered home on a Brady Philibotte sacrifice fly to right field. The Engineers added three more runs in the fourth, as Hand and Joe Salvon hit back-to-back home runs.

New England College would get within striking distance in the top of the fifth inning as they plated three runs in the frame. Michael Ciccotelli plated Philibotte with a single to right before scoring on a JD Normand single to left-center field. Connor Morin got NEC within one (5-4) as he scored on a wild pitch.

The Engineers added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the Pilgrims could not close the gap even further.

Shaun Cormier took the loss for New England College after pitching 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• JD Normand went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI in the fifth inning.
• WPI leads the all-time series, 7-1.

UP NEXT

• NEC vs. Lesley Univ., Saturday, April 2, 1:00 pm
• WPI at Wheaton, Saturday, April 2, 12:00 pm