Blazers Split Doubleheader with Cadets

HOLYOKE, MA - The Elms College Baseball team hosted the Norwich Cadets in a doubleheader Friday afternoon at Mackenzie Stadium.

BASICS

Game 1 (Conference)
Score: Elms College 5 | Norwich University 5
Record: Blazers 10-10, 1-1 (GNAC) | Cadets 1-13, 0-2 (GNAC)

Game 2 (Non-Conference)
Score: Elms College 13 | Norwich University 7
Record: Blazers 11-10, 1-2 (GNAC) | Cadets 2-14, 1-2 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1
Both teams struggled to get on the board early, as offense was at a premium. In the top of the third inning, Norwich loaded the bases, and scored twice off of walks to go up 2-0. The Cadets followed this up in the top of the fourth inning by scoring three runs, two of them coming on a walk and an error by the Blazers. Even though Elms made some untimely mistakes, they still came up with chances to put some runs on the board, but left a couple runners on base.The Blazers got the inning they needed in the bottom 5th. Senior AJ Cook (Mendon, MA) recorded a two run-double with only one out to get Elms on the board. Carrying this momentum, graduate student Tyler Galenski (Wilbraham, MA) recorded an RBI-single, driving Cook home. With two Blazers on base, senior CJ Moriarty (Glastonbury, CT) stepped up to the plate and recorded an RBI single followed by another RBI-single by senior Justin Miller (Prospect, CT). Elms found new life in the bottom fifth inning, as they had tied the game 5-5. Norwich would strike back in the ensuing two innings, scoring off an RBI-single and another walk. These walks proved to be the losing deficit for Elms. Norwich further added to their lead with two more runs in the top eighth inning, winning the game 9-5.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Junior George Chaya Jr. (Methuen, MA): three hits and two runs batted in.

• Moriarty: two hits and a run batted in.

• Graduate student Josh Pasini (Enfield, CT): a hit and a run batted in.

Game 2

Elms started off as the aggressive team in the second game, as in the bottom of the 1st inning, the Blazers scored an error by Norwich to go up 1-0. The Blazers added to this lead in the bottom of the second inning off of a two run-single by junior Felix Gutierrez (Holyoke, MA) and a fielder's choice by first-year Eliel Colon (Springfield, MA). Guiterrez also scored off another Norwich error, giving the Blazers a 5-0 lead. Norwich would put six runs on the board in the top of the third inning, all with two outs, to give the Cadets the lead and put even more pressure on the Blazers. Elms responded by scoring on a fielder's choice by Cook and a Moriarty RBI-single, retaking the lead 7-6. The Blazers were determined to win, not wanting to drop another game to Norwich. Norwich was shut down in the top of the fifth inning, and in the bottom of the inning, the Blazers offense went to work again, led by a three run-double by Moriarty to give Elms an 13-6. Norwich would score one more run, but it was not enough. The Blazers dominated the second game, winning 13-7, and splitting the doubleheader with Norwich.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Moriarty: two hits and four runs batted in.

• Gutierrez: two hits and two runs batted in.

• Cook: a hit and a run batted in.

UP NEXT: The Blazers will be at home against the University of Saint Joseph (CT) on Saturday, March 30th in a conference doubleheader at 1 and 3:30 PM at Mackenzie Stadium.

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