Baseball Thumps Daniel Webster For Series Sweep

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

NASHUA, N.H. – The Elms College baseball team completed a series sweep of host Daniel Webster College, posting a 14-6 win in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) game at Harvey Woods Field Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Blazers improve to 16-18 on the season, and 11-6 in conference play, while the Eagles drop to 2-12 in the NECC and 5-20 overall.

After a scoreless inning opening play, the Blazers tacked three runs on the scoreboard in the top of the second as a single from junior Ben Ross (Thompson, Conn.) helped load the bases with one out. Senior Stephen Harrison (Southbury, Conn.) brought home a pair of runs on a single to left field, followed by a sacrifice fly from classmate Jordan Zima (Berlin, Conn.) to hand Elms the 3-0 lead.

The Eagles cut into the deficit in the home half of the fourth as sophomore Matt Alberino (Medford, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice, advanced on a wild pitch, and then scored on an RBI single from senior Brad DeLuca (Nashua, N.H.). DeLuca came around to score when junior Kyle Hodgdon (Cheshire, Conn.) knocked an RBI single to left field, closing the gap to 3-2.

The Blazers regained control in the top of the fifth as seniors Kyle Platner (Northfield, Mass.) and Tim Gelzinis (North Dighton, Mass.) ripped back-to-back RBI doubles. Gelzinis would later score on a wild pitch to help Elms to a 6-2 lead.

Elms put the game away in the sixth inning, erupting for five runs, ignited by leadoff singles from Harrison and Zima. Platner delivered an RBI single to center, but the Eagles recorded two straight outs to slow the momentum. A fielding error allowed Zima to score, and then sophomore Alex Hoss (Stafford Springs, Conn.) legged out an RBI single to shortstop. Ross wrapped up the surge with a two-run triple to centerfield, propelling the Blazers to an 11-2 lead.

Daniel Webster senior Mike Gamache (Manchester, N.H.) plated two runs for the Eagles in the bottom of the eighth with a single to right field. The Blazers added three runs in the ninth en route to the 14-6 win.

Zima, Plater and Ross led the Blazers at the dish with each tallying three hits and scoring twice. Ross and Platner drove in two runs apiece, while Harrison went 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs. Sophomore Matt Plasse (5-2; Westfield, Mass.) claimed the victory on the hill, limiting the Eagles to two runs on eight hits in six innings of work.

The Blazers return to the diamond for their NECC finale against Lesley University Tuesday afternoon at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Daniel Webster hosts Mitchell in an NECC doubleheader Monday at Noon.

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