READING, Mass. - The New England College baseball team fell to MIT on Thursday, 0-0, in the Pilgrims' final non-conference tune-up before beginning Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play this coming weekend. 

The Engineers took an early lead with some damage in the second and third innings but took a commanding lead with seven runs on seven hits in the fourth. MIT would add two more in the sixth, good for an eventual 14-1 win. 

NEC scored their lone run in the top of the third inning after the 'Grims used a pair of walks and a single to load the bases for senior Ryan Cote (Goffstown, N.H.). Cote would hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in junior Charlie Greenberg (Lewisboro, N.Y.). Cote went 2-for-2 on the day with a pair of singles, while sophomore Bobby Trigilio (Chicopee, Mass.) smacked a double. 

Five pitchers took the mound for MIT with Owen Malone earning the win. Freshman Dillan Abbate (Port Jervis, N.Y.) started and suffered the loss for NEC, while junior Colby Rohr (Highland Village, Tex.) threw a scoreless inning of relief. 

The 'Grims will play their GNAC opener on Saturday with a road doubleheader against Mitchell College. 

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