Baseball Sweeps Maine-Farmington In Doubleheader
BASEBALL SWEEPS MAINE-FARMINGTON IN NAC DOUBLEHEADER
HOLYOKE, MA, April 6, 2008 - Elms College junior pitcher
RJ Vassallie (Long Branch, NJ) threw a
complete-game, three-hitter in game one and the Blazers rallied
from a three-run deficit in their final at-bat in the second game
to complete a sweep of the University of Maine-Farmington with 3-1
and 6-5 victories in Sunday's North Atlantic Conference (NAC)
baseball doubleheader at MacKenzie Stadium.
The Blazers snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 5-10 overall, 2-0 NAC. The Beavers remained winless at 0-6, 0-6 NAC.
In game one, Vassalie twirled a gem, as he issued no walks, struck out one allowed just three singles all afternoon en route to his first win of the season.
After senior left fielder Joe Ferry (Palmer, MA) and senior catcher Joe Sawa (Chicopee, MA) drew consecutive walks to start the game, freshman third baseman Mike Andrews (Greenfield, MA) roped a two-run double to left field to give the Blazers a quick 2-0 lead.
The Beavers plated their lone run in the top of the second when freshman third baseman Josh Garneau (South Portland, ME) delivered a RBI groundout to score sophomore second baseman Kyle Shea (Bar Harbor, ME).
The Blazers added an insurance run in the third on a RBI sacrifice fly by senior first baseman Scott Netkovick (South Hadley, MA).
Maine-Farmington sophomore pitcher Brian Morrison (Saco, ME) was the tough-luck loser, as he allowed just three earned runs on three hits in a complete-game effort.
In game two, the Beavers headed toward a split of the doubleheader as they capitalized on three Elms College errors to plate four runs in the top of the seventh to overturn a 2-1 deficit and take a 5-2 lead.
The Blazers, however, answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to seal the sweep.
With one-out in the seventh, freshman center fielder Bob Reyome (Westfield, MA) reached on an error, Ferry drew a walk and Sawa followed with a single to load the bases.
Freshman pinch-hitter Chris Burnham (Wilbraham, MA) then delivered a RBI single and Andrews followed with a two-run single to knot the game at 5-5.
Netkovick then provided the final heroics, as he belted a RBI
single to right field for the game-winning run.
Elms College sophomore pitcher Mike Bieber (Wading River, NY) was solid, as he allowed just one earned run on six hits in 5.2 innings. Sophomore relief pitcher Pat Moreau (South Hadley, MA) recorded the final out of the seventh to earn his first win of the year.
Maine-Farmington junior pitcher Pat Howell (Nobleboro, ME) allowed two earned runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings of a no-decision.
Elms College returns to non-conference play at Wesleyan University on Wednesday, April 9. Game time is 4:00 p.m.