HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College Baseball Team is moving on to the New England Collegiate Conference Baseball Championship Series. Brady Philibotte's walk-off single sinks the No. 2 seeded Mitchell College Mariners, 4-3, at Laurie Cox Memorial Field Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
Score:  No. 1 New England College 4, No. 2 Mitchell College 3

Records: Pilgrims (24-14, 9-3 NECC) | Mariners (27-11, 7-4 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
New England College jumped out to an early lead, as Connor Morin had a two-run double down the rightfield line in the bottom of the first. Mitchell College would remain scoreless until the top of the third, as Bo Yaworski hit a three-run home run to right field, giving the Mariners a 3-2 lead.

Mitchell would maintain a 3-2 advantage until the bottom of the eighth inning when Harutaro Takahashi scored on a Patrick Hagerty sacrifice fly to right field. In the top of the eighth inning, the Mariners threatened to regain the lead as they loaded the bases with one out in the frame, but Wyatt Cameron induced an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Luca Giallongo hit a one-out double to the left-center field and would score on Brady Philibotte's single through the left side of the infield, winning the game for the 'Grims.

Shayne Audet was credited with a no-decision, as he struck out six over 7.0 innings. Cameron picked up the win, as he finished off 2.0 innings with one hit and four strikeouts.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• New England College is now 6-5 against regionally ranked opponents with their win over Mitchell.
• In three games this year against the Mariners, Shayne Audet has pitched 21.0 innings, with 28 strikeouts to just ten hits. His ERA in those games is 1.71.
• The all-time series is now tied 7-7.

UP NEXT

• NEC vs. Mitchell College, Sunday, May 8, 12:00 pm.­