HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College baseball team finally opened their 2023 home schedule on Saturday with a double-header against New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) rival Eastern Nazarene College at Laurie Cox Memorial Field in Henniker, New Hampshire. The Lions prevailed 5-0 in the opener before holding off the Pilgrims in game two, 10-4.

THE BASICS
Score – Game 1:                Eastern Nazarene 5, New England College 0 (7 innings)
Score – Game 2:               Eastern Nazarene 10, New England College 4 (7 innings)
Records:                               Pilgrims 7-13, 0-4 NECC | Lions 19-5, 3-2 NECC

GAME 1 – EASTERN NAZARENE 5, NEC 0

• Game one was a pitcher's duel as NEC senior pitcher Wyatt Cameron (Salisbury, Vt.) and ENC junior pitcher Francis Ferguson (Jefferson, Mass.) combined for six shutout innings to open the game.
• The 'Grims broke up a potential no-hitter for the Lions in the bottom of the sixth when junior catcher Aaron Robertson (Weare, N.H.) lead off the inning with a single to right. NEC was unable to capitalize, however, as the game entered the seventh and final inning still scoreless.
• In the top of the seventh, a pair of costly errors by the Pilgrims opened the floodgates for the Lions, as Eastern Nazarene put up five runs including a two-run homer from Ferguson. NEC attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs. But Ferguson struck-out Robertson for the final out.
• Cameron finished with seven strikeouts, allowing eight hits in seven innings.

• Ferguson picked up the win with twelve strikeouts in the shutout, going two-of-four at the plate with a home run and a triple.

GAME 2 – EASTERN NAZARENE 10, NEC 4

• The Pilgrims got on the board right out of the gate in game two, as freshman right fielder Ryan Cote (Goffstown, N.H.) hit an RBI sacrifice fly to plate senior centerfielder Luca Giallongo (Mt. Shasta, Calif.) to go ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first.
• The Lions tied it up in the top of the third when Ferguson hit an RBI single through the right side. On the very next at-bat, ENC sophomore shortstop Frank Landeiro (Orlando, Fla.) doubled to left-center to drive in two more runs. Eastern Nazarene would take a 6-1 lead after three innings.
• Still trailing in the bottom of the fourth, the 'Grims would rally. First, NEC senior shortstop Devin Parsons (Salisbury, Mass.) drove in senior first baseman Tyler Gendron (Milford, N.H.) on a single to left-center. On the very next at-bat, Giallongo tripled to left-center to drive in two more runs, pulling the home team to within two at 6-4 after four innings.
• In the top of the fifth, ENC senior first baseman Shane McNamara (Londonderry, N.H.) hit a solo shot to right field. The Lions would tack on two more runs before the Pilgrims were able to get out of the inning, now trailing 9-4. NEC would not challenge again.

UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the field on Monday when they travel down the road to face Keene State University in a 3:00 p.m. game.
• Eastern Nazarene travels to Curry College for their next game, that coming on Thursday with a 3:00 p.m. start.

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