Sebastyanski Strikes Out Four Batters in 4-1 Victory Over Monks

SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Elms College Baseball team advances to the second round of playoffs after knocking out the Saint Joseph's College of Maine Monks in a 4-1 victory Wednesday afternoon.

BASICS

Score: Monks 1 | Blazers 4

Records: Monks (19-21, 10-9) | Blazers (23-13, 13-6)

HOW IT HAPPENED

On Wednesday, May 3rd the Elms College Baseball team hosted the Saint Joseph's College of Maine on the Archie Allen Field at Springfield College for the 1st round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Playoffs.  

Junior Kyle Sebastyanski (Auburn, MA) shutout the Monks from the mound for the first 8 innings of the contest recording 4 strikeouts, letting up 8 hits and allowing 0 runs in.  Camden Murphy would relieve the righty pitcher from Auburn for the final inning, with a strike out swinging securing the playoff win to advance Elms to the second round.

Josh Nohilly (Bristol, CT) grounded out to second base, sending the first run of the game home in the bottom of the second inning.

The score was 1-0 after the second inning, Blazers leading by one run.

In the fifth inning Monks' L. Stephens doubled down the left line and advanced to third after S. Miles grounded out to second. This was the first time in the 9 inning game that the monks had a runner at third in a scoring position.  

With two outs in the top of the eighth, the Monks sat with a runner on second and first.  M. Thibault hit a base knock deep down the left line advancing all the runners. Elms' Justin Miller (Prospect, CT) quickly picked up the ball with a 1-2 crow hop sending it directly to home plate. Tyler Galenski would collect the throw from Miller just as Monk's first run was about to score. The Blazers would end the inning with the runner tagged out after a collision before home plate between Galenski and J. Wilhelm. (1-0 Blazers)

Galenski and Aaron Young (Somers, CT) both recorded a single to the left fielder in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the one RBI from Galenski and the 2 RBI from Young the Blazers were able to grow their lead by 3 runs. Heading into the top of the 9th and final inning the Blazers led 4-0.

In the final inning and half the SJC nine made an attempt to rally. T. Morrissey doubled down to the outfield to start off the inning. With two back to back outs and Morrissey now at third, the Monks sat in a good scoring position. With a single up the middle from Z. Miles the Monks chalk up their first run of the game. J. Wilhelm followed up with a base knock advancing Miles to second. With runners at first and second SJC pinch hit A.Chiappone for the final at bat. Blazers' Murphy would end the inning striking Chiappone out swinging to secure the first playoff game win, final score 4-1.

After the win on Wednesday, the Elms College Baseball team advances to the second round of playoffs. Thursday, May 4th the Blazers will battle against the Johnson & Wales Wildcats at 5PM on the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex Baseball field at 5PM.