HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College baseball team lost 17-7 against visiting Worcester Polytechnic Institute in non-conference action on Monday at Laurie Cox Memorial Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: WPI 17, New England College 7
Records: Pilgrims 7-23 | Engineers 13-18
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The 'Grims got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning when NEC freshman third baseman Jaken Pellerin (Manchester, N.H.) – already enjoying a standout rookie season – blasted a solo shot over the left field wall for his fifth home run of the season to put the home team ahead 1-0.
- Down 9-1 in the bottom of the sixth, NEC junior second baseman Yeri Ramos (Loiza, P.R.) hit an RBI single up the middle to drive in graduate first baseman Johnny Cannavo (Weymouth, Mass.). It was Cannavo's 19th run scored for the season, tying him with Pellerin.
- Still down by seven in the bottom of the seventh, the Pilgrims switched to small ball to get back in it, with three straight singles loading the bases. Then Cannavo hit into an RBI groundout to plate senior right fielder Kyle Dobrie (Mastic, N.Y.). On the very next at bat, NEC sophomore catcher Mike Monteforte (Wilmington, Mass.) grounded out to third but drove in junior centerfielder Ryan Cote (Goffstown, N.H.). The Pilgrims had pulled to within five.
- In the bottom of the eighth, down 12-4, NEC junior left fielder Noah Winship (Rochester, N.H.) came to the plate with no outs and two runners on, putting the ball in play and reaching on an error that scored Ramos. On the very next at-bat, junior designated hitter Jackson Round (Cayuga, Canada) scored off a wild pitch. Later in the eighth, Cannavo stepped to the plate and singled to right center to score Winship for his second RBI of the game, pulling the 'Grims to within five.
- That was as close as NEC would make it, however, as the Engineers posted five in the top of the ninth to put the game away.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC relief freshman pitcher Cam Taylor (Rochester, N.H.) pitched three impressive innings in relief, allowing no runs and striking out one Engineer. It was the best performance of the season for the rookie.
- WPI sophomore third baseman Joe DiMichele (East Longmeadow, Mass.) hit a three-RBI double in the top of the fourth to clear the bases, then later drew a bases-loaded walk for his fourth RBI of the day. A two RBI single in the top of the ninth capped off his day.
- WPI freshman shortstop Chuck Cappello (Southboro, Mass.) went three-for-four with two walks and three runs batted in.
- WPI senior centerfielder Tommy Burns (Morris Plains, N.J.) had two hits including a double with driving in a pair of runs.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Tuesday when they play host to Johnson & Wales University in a crucial conference game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
- WPI also plays their next game on Tuesday when they host Clark University in a 3:30 p.m. game.
