MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – After a long day of travel, the New England College baseball team arrived in Myrtle Beach early this afternoon, and defeated Neumann University, 8-7, in the early evening, securing a win to kick off the team's spring break slate in the Palmetto State.
THE BASICS
Score: Neumann Univ. 7, New England Col. 8
Records: Knights 2-2 | Pilgrims 1-2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The 'Grims came out hot in the first inning of their first game of Spring Break, loading the bases for junior Yeri Ramos (Loiza, P.R.) who tripled to deep center field to drive in all three runs.
- NEC would put together a couple of base runners in the second inning and score one run on an RBI single by graduate infielder Johnny Cannavo (Weymouth, Mass.). In the third, NEC would again score one run on two hits, with Ramos doubling home freshman Jaken Pellerin (Manchester, N.H.). The next inning, Pellerin would smack another double, this time scoring Cannavo to put the 'Grims up, 6-0.
- Neumann began to creep back into the game with two runs in the top of the sixth inning and made things extremely interesting in the seventh when Thomas Carroll (Woodbury, N.J.) hit a three-run inside-the-park home run on a line drive that narrowly missed the glove of the diving NEC outfielder. In the eighth, the Knights would knot the game up at 6, erasing the Pilgrim' lead late in the game.
- With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, searching for the go-ahead run, senior infielder Brady Philibotte (Weare, N.H.) started a potential rally with a single to center field. Pellerin, hitting out of the four hole, would come through, slugging another double – this time off the wall in deep left field – to score Philibotte and put the 'Grims on top. Ramos would then follow up with his third hit of the day to score Pellerin and provide a two-run cushion entering the ninth.
- Senior pitcher Liam Bruskewicz (Granite Springs, N.Y.) pitched the top of the ninth inning for NEC, quickly recording two outs before running into a little trouble. With two on, a hit from Josh Finger (Vineland, N.J.) would score a run to bring the Knights within two, but Finger would get thrown out at second on a nice relay from the NEC defense to end the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Bruskewicz was credited with the win after entering a tie game in the eighth inning. Neumann's Brian Van Etten (Delran, N.J.) suffered the loss.
- Senior pitcher Austin Hazzard (Weare, N.H.) started on the mound for the 'Grims, providing great length with seven innings while striking out four.
- Pellerin went 4-for-5 on the day with three doubles, two RBIs, and two runs scored. The rookie is a blistering 7-for-8 over his last two games.
- Ramos had a 3-for-5 day with five RBIs, finishing a home run shy of the cycle.
- Junior David Spigel (Portsmouth, R.I.) got the start at second base and recorded a single with a run scored while providing stellar defense from the keystone.
- Freshman outfielder Benoit Beaudoin (Meredith, N.H.) recorded his first career hit with a single in the second inning.
- The strong team effort was highlighted by the team total of zero errors and zero wild pitches or passed balls. Instead, the defense made notable plays, picking off multiple Knights on the basepaths and limiting free bases.
UP NEXT
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