HENNIKER, N.H. – After walking off game one, 7-6, the New England College Baseball team's rally fell short. The Pilgrims split their Senior Day Doubleheader against Eastern Nazarene College Saturday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action.

THE BASICS
Score:  New England College 7, Eastern Nazarene College 6 (Game One)

Eastern Nazarene College 7, New England College 4 (Game Two)
Records: Pilgrims (15-12, 5-3 NECC) | Lions (17-15-1, 5-4-1 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
New England College 7, Eastern Nazarene College 6 (Game One)

Eastern Nazarene started fast, as Frank Landerio hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to go up 2-0. The Pilgrims responded with one run in the bottom of the first, as Harutaro Takahashi doubled down the right-field line, scoring Luca Giallongo on the play. The Lions expanded their lead in the second and the third inning, as they plated one run in each inning. New England College got within one run in the bottom of the frame, as Sylvain Audet doubled home Connor Morin and Takahashi on the play.

The 'Grims took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth, as Brady Philibotte doubled to left-center, scoring Pat Hagerty and Devin Parsons before Philibotte scored on a Michael Ciccotelli sacrifice fly. ENC tied the game in the top of the sixth, with Ethaniel Almendarez's single up the middle, scoring Steven Pesce and Shane McNamara.

The Pilgrims were able to load the bases with no outs in the inning at the bottom of the seventh. Cooper Ribaudo beat out a fielder's choice, and the throw home was offline as Connor Morin leaped over the Lion's catcher to win the game.

Shaun Cormier picked up the win after striking out six batters in 7.0 innings.

Eastern Nazarene College 7, New England College 4 (Game Two)

The Lions' once again struck early, as they plated two runs in the first inning and two more in the third and the fourth. Down 6-0, the Pilgrims got on the board in the bottom of the fifth, as Sylvain Audet hit a two-run home run to left-center. After Eastern Nazarene added an insurance run in the top of the sixth, Brady Philibotte hit a two-run shot to cut the deficit to three (7-4). New England College could not tie or win the game, as they dropped game two, 7-4.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• After not hitting a double in game two, it snaps a streak of 14 games of having at least one double. 
• The Lions lead the all-time series, 21-11

UP NEXT

• NEC vs. UMass Dartmouth, Sunday, Apr. 24, 12:00 pm.
• ENC at Albertus Magnus, Wednesday, Apr. 27, 4:00 pm.