Baseball, Lesley Split Conference Doubleheader

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The Elms College baseball team took the nightcap over Lesley University in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) doubleheader at the New England Baseball Complex Wednesday night. The Blazers fell 4-3 in extra innings in the opener, and then rebounded to blank the Lynx 5-0 in the finale.

With the split, Elms moves to 22-6 overall and 5-3 in the NECC, while the Lynx sit at 5-5 in conference play, and 9-12 on the season.

Game 1: Lesley 4, Elms 3 (8 Innings)

The Blazers struck in the top of the first with junior Stephen Harrison (Southbury, Conn.,) launching his first career home run with a two-run shot over the right field fence to stake Elms to a 2-0 lead. The Lynx chipped into the lead in the bottom of the frame behind an RBI single from freshman Jacob Cervantes (Oxnard, Calif.) to make it 2-1 after the first.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Lynx grabbed the lead as Cervantes scored on an RBI single from junior J.P. Agiorgousis (Hanscom, Mass.)) even the game at 2-2, followed by an RBI fielder's choice from senior Casey Blanchard (Bernardston, Mass.) to hand Lesley a 3-2 advantage.

Elms knotted the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth with junior Jordan Zima (Berlin, Conn.) clubbing a solo home run to lead off of the inning.

Tied at 3-3, the opener headed into extra innings and Elms had a chance to take the lead in the eighth with runners on first and third, but Lesley sophomore starter Tom Muratore (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) induced an inning-ending double play to maintain the 3-3 score.

Leading off the bottom of the eighth, Lynx freshman Ryan Pumphret (Shrewsbury, Mass.) belted a solo home run over the centerfield wall to send Lesley to the 4-3 win.

Elms senior starter Andrew Sadowski (Northampton, Mass.) took a no-decision, allowing three runs, one earned, and fanning seven batters in seven innings of work. Muratore (3-2) earned the complete game victory, surrendering three runs on three hits with three strikeouts in eight innings pitched.

Game 2: Elms 5, Lesley 0

Elms cracked the scoreboard in the top of the first on an RBI single from Harrison. The Blazers extended their advantage to 3-0 in the second as junior Brian Hungerford (New Preston, Conn.) laced a two-run single to left field, plating sophomore Andy Vasquez (Queens, N.Y.) and Tim Gelzinis (North Dighton, Mass.).

After four scoreless innings, the Blazers padded their lead to 5-0 on an RBI groundout from Vasquez, followed by an RBI single from senior Nolan Medeiros (Taunton, Mass.).

Harrison and Gelzinis delivered two hits apiece, while Hungerford drove in a pair of runs. Elms senior Tom Weldon (7-0; Springfield, Mass.) hurled a gem, logging a complete game shutout, scattering four hits with eight strikeouts. Weldon becomes Elms' all-time leader in shutouts and moves into a tie for first in all-time complete games.

Lesley junior Mike Slaby (Foxboro, Mass.) went 2-for-2 at the dish. Sophomore Nick Iadevaio (1-4; Mineola, N.Y.) took the loss, surrendering three runs on four hits with five strikeouts.

The Blazers will return to the diamond with a home NECC doubleheader against visiting Newbury College at MacKenzie Stadium Saturday afternoon. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Lesley hosts a non-conference twinbill against New England College at Trinity Stadium Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

ELMS BASEBALL