MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The New England College baseball team earned their first win of the season on Wednesday, blanking Penn State-Berks in the team's Spring Break opener in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  

THE BASICS 
Score: PSU Berks 0, New England College 10
Records: Nittany Lions 1-5 | Pilgrims 1-2

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The 'Grims got the scoring started early, plating two in the bottom of the first inning. After junior infielder Brady Philibotte (Weare, N.H.) and senior infielder Brett Patnode (Weare, N.H.) both reached base via single, they would both score following an RBI groundout by senior infielder Johnny Cannavo (Weymouth, Mass.) and then a two-out error by the Nittany Lions. 
• Up 3-0 entering the third, the Pilgrims would threaten once again. After junior infielder Tyler Fenton (Wilmington, Mass.) was hit by a pitch and graduate catcher Aaron Robertson (Weare, N.H.) reached by way of an infield single, NEC would score one run on a sacrifice fly by Philibotte and two more on a two-run home run over the left field wall by graduate infielder Bryce Worth (Southington, Conn.). 
• In the fifth inning, Cannavo would smack a double to deep left center field and be driven in two batters later as Fenton hit a two-out double off the wall in right center – expanding the Pilgrim lead to 7-0.  
• The 'Grims would load up the bases in the seventh for sophomore outfielder Harold Martinez (Wethersfield, Conn.) who would reach on an infield single to score Cannavo. The next batter, Philibotte, would drive in two more runs with a hard-hit single right up the middle to score Robertson and sophomore outfielder Ryan Cote (Goffstown, N.H.). 
• The NEC bullpen would hold the Nittany Lions hitless over the final three frames to complete the dominant 10-0 shutout.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Junior right-handed pitcher Austin Hazzard (Weare, N.H.) got the start on the mound for NEC, throwing five scoreless innings with 10 punch-outs en route to earning his first win of the season. After his first two starts, Hazzard holds a 0.90 ERA and a 43.1 K%.  
• In relief of Hazzard, senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Dunham (Manchester, N.H.) threw three more scoreless innings while striking out five. Patnode took the mound in the ninth, retiring the opposition in order to secure the victory. 
• For PSU-Berks, sophomore Zach Smith pitched three-and-two-thirds innings, permitting six runs (three earned) on six hits while taking the loss. 
• Patnode continued his hot start to the season, reaching base four times. He currently leads the team in batting average (.583), OBP (.667), and OPS (1.334) through three games.  
• Philibotte went two-for-three out of the lead-off spot, driving in three runs and scoring once. 
• Worth hit his second home run of the season, already surpassing his total from last year. His power has been on display early this season, leading the 'Grims with ten total bases, thus far. 
• NEC dominated the fundamentals, committing zero errors and only striking out five times, while the visitors struggled out on the field with three errors and even more so in the batter's box with 17 strikeouts. 

UP NEXT 

• NEC is back on the field tomorrow as they face off against Westminster College hailing from Wilmington, Pennsylvania, with first pitch scheduled for 9:00 AM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.