MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The New England College baseball team split a doubleheader against the University of Olivet, suffering a walk-off loss in game one and dominating game two on Wednesday at Crosley Field at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
GAME 1:
Score: New England College 6, Olivet 7
Records: Pilgrims 2-6 | Comets 1-7
HOW IT HAPPENED
- NEC got off to a quick start, beginning the game with four consecutive hits as the first six batters reached base safely. Freshman designated hitter Jaken Pellerin (Manchester, N.H.) got the scoring started with a two RBI single which kicked off what turned into six-run inning for the 'Grims.
- The first inning explosion would turn out to be the only runs the Pilgrims would push across in the game as the Comets chipped away at the lead from the third inning on. The Comets would hit home runs in both the third and fourth innings before scoring one more run in the fifth to make it a 6-4 ballgame.
- After walking off Manhattanville yesterday, the script was reversed for the Pilgrims in the bottom of the seventh; After scoring a run earlier in the inning, senior Blake Hawkins (Hamilton, Ohio) would hit a two-run home run to earn the Valiants the walk-off win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC senior pitcher Austin Hazzard (Weare, N.H.) started and went six innings with five strikeouts, allowing four earned runs and taking a no-decision.
- Olivet sophomore Austin Wittrock (South Bend, Ind.) delivered five clean innings of relief and freshman Teegan Glennon (Wayne, Mich.) earned the win in the seventh.
- The Pilgrims outhit the Valiants, 11-6, but Olivet leaned heavily on three long balls to earn the win.
GAME 2:
Score: Olivet 1, New England College 9
Records: Comets 1-8 | Pilgrims 3-6
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Pellerin put the Pilgrims on the board first in the second game with an RBI double to score senior infielder Brady Philibotte (Weare, N.H.) who had reached on a hard-hit single. Olivet would answer and knot the game up at 1-1 in the fourth inning with the team's fourth home run of the game.
- In the bottom of the fourth, freshman outfielder Ben Beaudoin (Meredith, N.H.) came through with a two RBI single to score junior outfielder Harold Martinez (Wethersfield, Conn.) and sophomore catcher Mike Monteforte (Wilmington, Mass.).
- Up 3-1 in the fifth, the 'Grims would expand their lead on a bases-loaded walk by Martinez to score Philibotte. Later in the inning, junior second baseman David Spigel (Portsmouth, R.I.) would manufacture a run on the basepaths allowing senior outfielder Kyle Dobrie (Mastic, N.Y.) to steal home.
- NEC would add on in the sixth, with Philibotte doubling home Bryce Worth (Southington, Conn.) and Johnny Cannavo (Weymouth, Mass.). After Pellerin followed with a double of his own, Dobrie hit the team's third consecutive two-bagger to score both Pellerin and Philibotte to take a commanding 9-1 lead.
- In the top of the seventh, graduate pitcher Stephen Dunham (Manchester, N.H.) downed the Valiants' 3-4-5 hitters in order to finish off his second career complete game and give the 'Grims their third win in Myrtle Beach.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Dunham allowed just four hits and one run while punching out five across seven innings to earn his first win of the season.
- Nate Droste (Eagle, Mich.) suffered the loss after going four innings with three earned runs for the Valiants.
- Cannavo has continued to thrive in the South Carolina sun, recording hits in both tilts of today's doubleheader to extend his hitting streak to nine games to begin the season.
- Philibotte and Pellerin both had three hits in game two, with Philibotte driving in two runs and scoring three times. Pellerin went 6-for-7 on the day with two doubles and is now slashing .737/.762/1.211.
UP NEXT
For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
