HENNIKER, N.H. - Playing in their first two home games of the 2026 season, the Pilgrims launched eight home runs on the afternoon while splitting a doubleheader with the University of Saint Joseph (CT), including a three-home run day from sophomore Jaken Pellerin (Manchester, N.H.) and two long balls from senior Ryan Cote (Goffstown, N.H.) in a 14-11 game two victory.
Game 1 – NEC 6, USJ 14
The Blue Jays scored two runs in the top of the second inning to seize the early lead, a lead that would be cut in half on a solo home run from Pellerin in the bottom half of the frame.
The University of Saint Joseph capitalized on an NEC error in the fourth – one of seven in the game – to score twice more and grow their lead back to three. They would add four more runs in the top of the fifth to take a commanding 8-1 lead.
The 'Grims showed signs of life in the fifth, quickly plating a run as Cote doubled home senior Nick Hernandez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.). After graduate Brady Philibotte (Weare, N.H.) was hit by a pitch, Pellerin cleared the bases with a towering three-run shot. With a four-spot of their own, NEC pulled within three, 8-5.
After blanking the Jays in the top of the sixth, the Pilgrims applied some pressure in the home-half of the sixth. Hernandez doubled to left center field to put runners at second and third, and Cote scored junior Charlie Greenberg (Lewisboro, N.Y.) on a sacrifice fly before Philibotte struck out to end the inning.
Things unraveled in the seventh for the 'Grims as the Blue Jays plated six runs to jump ahead 14-6, again capitalizing on defensive errors in the field. NEC would be retired in order in the bottom half of the seventh as USJ took game one, 14-6.
Game 2 – NEC 14, USJ 11
Just as they did in game one, USJ took a quick 2-0 lead on a two-run double in the first. NEC responded, first scoring a run on a bases loaded walk before scoring a second on a sacrifice fly off the bat of senior Harold Martinez (Wethersfield, Conn.).
Saint Joseph propelled themselves in front in the third, using a five-run frame to seize back the lead. But NEC began to chip away at the Blue Jay lead later that inning as sophomore Bobby Trigilio (Chicopee, Mass.) crushed a two-run home run to straightaway center field. In the fourth, Hernandez slugged a two-run double to score Greenberg and freshman Dillan Abbate (Port Jervis, N.Y.). One batter later, Cote would smack his second round-tripper of the game to put NEC up, 8-7.
Just as Cote put the 'Grims on top, USJ's Jack Kushman slugged a two-run shot of his own to put the Blue Jays back up one in the fifth.
In the bottom-half of the fifth inning, it was none other than Cote who worked a full count before hitting his second two-run blast of the game to re-take the lead. Philibotte followed by working another full count before redirecting the 3-2 pitch over the left field fence. And the 'Grims weren't done; Pellerin, coming off two four-baggers in game one, crushed his third of the day as the Pilgrims hit back-to-back-to-back home runs.
Freshman TJ Hicks (Tampa, Fla.) reached on an infield single in the seventh and went first to third on a well-placed sacrifice bunt from Hernandez. Hicks would race home on a wild pitch, just beating the tag to give the 'Grims another insurance run and go up 13-9. Hicks made a key impact on defense in the top of the eighth, making a pair of catches in left field to keep the Blue Jays off the board.
In the bottom of the eighth, Martinez put the cherry on top of the team's big fly bonanza as the senior captain slugged the first home run of his collegiate career to deep left field. The Pilgrims would take a five-run lead into the ninth inning.
With two outs in the ninth, Saint Joseph would show some fight as Ryan Quinn hit a two-run home run to pull the Blue Jays within three. However, just as he did in yesterday's game one victory over Albertus Magnus, junior Colby Rohr (Highland Village, Tex.) shut the door for the 'Grims with a strikeout of Dom Scalia to preserve the victory.
NEC senior Brendan Hill (Lincoln, R.I.) was credited with his second win of the season as he fired three strong innings of relief with three strikeouts. Rohr took over in a four-run game, recording the final six outs of the game.
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Cote had a huge day, batting 4-for-5 with two home runs, six runs driven in, five runs scored, and two walks. The senior has set a new career high with three home runs this season and is rocking the highest OPS of his career with a 1.140.
It was a warm day in Henniker which seemed to help heat up the bat of Pellerin, whose three hits all left the ballpark with six RBIs. His four home runs this season sits one shy of his total from a year ago. Pellerin and Philibotte share the team-lead in long balls in 2026.
Hernandez continued to shine in the lead-off spot, going 3-of-7 with four runs scored and a pair of doubles. Meanwhile, Abbate added three more hits on the day to quietly raise his average to a team-best .366 among qualified batters.
The Pilgrims will now look ahead to another Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader next Saturday as they host Dean College for a pair of games slated to start at 12:00 PM.
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