HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College baseball team won 7-5 over visiting University of Saint Joseph in Great Northeast Athletics Conference (GNAC) action on Tuesday afternoon at Laurie Cox Memorial Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: Univ. of Saint Joseph 5, New England College 7
Records: Pilgrims 4-16, 2-1 GNAC | Blue Jays 8-11-1, 2-3 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With the game scoreless, the 'Grims busted out in the bottom of the third inning. After NEC graduate leftfielder Bryce Worth (Southington, Conn.) led off by drawing a walk, senior third baseman Brett Patnode (Weare, N.H.) reached on a hit-by-pitch. Two batters later, senior second baseman Johnny Cannavo (Weymouth, Mass.) belted an RBI single to right, plating Worth as the hosts got on the board. On the very next at bat, sophomore right fielder Ryan Cote (Goffstown, N.H.) singled to drive in two more runs, giving the Pilgrims a 3-0 lead.
- NEC would add two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, as Patnode came to the plate with two runners on and two outs and singled to shallow right center, driving in Worth and graduate infielder Cooper Ribaudo (Salem, N.H.). The 'Grims took a 5-0 lead.
- The Blue Jays cracked the scoring column in the top of the fifth, as a leadoff triple by USJ sophomore centerfielder Ryan Quinn (Middletown, Conn.) and a walk by sophomore catcher Chase Belisle (Wolcott, Conn.) set the table for a two-RBI double from freshman right fielder Joseph Fritz (Tampa, Fla.), cutting the lead to 5-2.
- The 'Grims would claim two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, as an RBI single to center by Worth plated NEC freshman centerfielder Jason Figuereo (Lynn, Mass.). On the very next at-bat, junior designated hitter Brady Philibotte (Weare, N.H.) scored from third off a wild pitch, pulling the hosts up 7-2.
- In the top of the eighth, the Blue Jays would capitalize on a pair of fielding errors to rally. An RBI sacrifice fly from USJ sophomore designated hitter Ethan Reemsnyder (Clinton, Conn.) scored one run, and USJ sophomore third baseman Dom Scalia (Northford, Conn.) would plate two more with a two-RBI single to left. Just like that, the visitors were within two at 7-5.
- After a scoreless frame for the Pilgrims, the hosts entered the top of the ninth still clinging to a two-run lead. NEC junior right-handed pitcher Austin Hazzard (Weare, N.H.) was given the close, and he slammer the door on the Blue Jays, allowing just one-base runner before retiring the side, recording his first career save.
- Cote went three-for-three at the plate with two RBI and a walk.
- NEC junior right-handed pitcher Corey O'Day (Nashua, N.H.) got the start for the Pilgrims, posting a strong outing for his first win of the season. O'Day struck out five Blue Jays over six innings and allowed just two earned runs.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Saturday when they travel to Colby-Sawyer College for a 12:00 p.m. GNAC double-header.
- USJ plays their next game at Springfield College on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
