Michael Zeiner went three-for-four and knocked in an RBI single for Stonehill (PHOTO BY Richard Orr)

Soulier goes the distance and leads Stonehill past Assumption

WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 8, 2013) – The Stonehill College baseball team topped the Assumption College Greyhounds, 3-1 in a non-conference matchup at Alfond Stadium on the campus of Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla.

Senior Michael Zeiner (Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) went three-for-four and roped an RBI single for Stonehill. Junior Anthony Pagano (Cranston, R.I./Cranston West) and freshman Brian Campbell (Franklin, Mass./Mount Saint Charles) also hit RBI singles to lead the way for the Skyhawks.

Junior Zach Soulier (Milford, Conn./Jonathan Law) claimed his third victory of the season. Soulier pitched a complete game, giving up an unearned run on five hits, while striking out seven. The junior has given up just one earned run on the season, boasting a 0.36 ERA through 25.0 innings on the year.

Sophomore Zack LaRosa (West Hartford, Conn./Conard) pitched 4.2 innings and was charged with the loss for Assumption. LaRosa gave up three runs (zero earned) on five hits and four walks, striking out two. Junior Cody Rocha (Fall River, Mass./B.M.C. Durfee) went two and two-third innings of relief. Rocha held the Skyhawks scoreless, giving up one hit and striking out two batters in the process.

Zach Soulier pitched a complete game and earned the win for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Bert Lane)

The Skyhawks took a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning. With two outs in the fifth, Billy Karalis (Pawtucket, R.I./Bishop Feehan) reached on an error by the second baseman and Dan Fratus (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth North) walked. Pagano then drove-in Karalis with an RBI single to give Stonehill a one run lead. Zeiner and Campbell followed up with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 3-0 Skyhawks.

Assumption chipped away at Stonehill's lead in the top of the eighth. With Nick Napoli (Medford, Mass./Boston College) on first and two outs, Bret Clark (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Central) hit a single to left field. Napoli scored on the play following an error by the left fielder to make it 3-1.

Soulier ended the Assumption rally when he struck out the final batter of the eighth. The junior then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the Greyhounds and seal the victory for Stonehill.

Stonehill (8-5, 0-0 NE-10) finishes up its spring training trip tomorrow morning at 10:00 am when it faces off against the University of Bridgeport. Next up for Assumption (2-5, 0-0 NE-10) is a duel with Rollins College tonight at 6:00 pm.

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