Skyhawks record first shutout of the season
Rocco went 3-for-7 on the day with two runs scored and a double |
TAUNTON, Massachusetts (March 24, 2019) – The Stonehill College baseball team (11-11, 2-0 NE10) swept Le Moyne College (7-13, 0-2 NE10) on Sunday in Northeast-10 Conference play at Taunton High School with scores of 4-3 and 2-0.
Game 1: Stonehill 4 – Le Moyne 3
For the Skyhawks, Matthew Rocco went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and double, while William Kelleher and Harrison Sabo both went 2-for-3 with one run scored and a walk each, as Sabo registered a RBI. Rob Duarte contributed two RBI in Stonehill's first NE10 victory of the season, as Shane O'Halloran knocked in an RBI himself. Stonehill's five pitchers combined for eight strikeouts, as Brendan Powicki earned his first win of the season and Michael Young tallied his first save of the season.
With the bases loaded in the first inning, Duarte grounded out to third base but Rocco was able to cross home for the first run of the game, 1-0. The Dolphins connected in the second inning to tie the game as they came across the same situation as Justin Tuey grounded out to second scoring Michael Smith from third with the bases loaded, 1-1.
Both teams' bats came alive again in the third inning with Stonehill tallying two runs in the top of the frame with one out on an error and a sacrifice fly, 3-1. Le Moyne responded with two runs of their own, 3-3, to tie the game once more as Smith drove home Andrew Taft from third on a single and Drew Carroll walked with the bases loaded.
Stonehill's three hits in the top of the fourth gave the Skyhawks the edge once again. With two outs and runners on first and third Sabo hit a hard grounder up the middle bringing home Rocco for the game-winning run, 4-3. The Dolphins retired the side with a strikeout to end the rally.
Le Moyne stranded five runners on base in the final four innings, as they threatened in the seventh leaving the winning runs on first and second with back-to-back strikeouts from Young.
Game 2: Stonehill 2 – Le Moyne 0
Le Moyne outhit Stonehill in the second game, 9-5, but the Skyhawks were able to come up on top with their first shutout of the season, 2-0.
Duarte was the only multi-hit Skyhawk batter as he went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Kelleher, Aidan Wilde, and O'Halloran combined for the other three hits. On the mound, Michael White picked up his second win of the season, while Matt Smith came in for relief for his second save of the season.
Kelleher led the Skyhawks on Sunday with his .600 batting average going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a double |
In the first inning, Stonehill totaled four hits as Kelleher reached second on his seventh double of the season and advanced to third on a ground out. He then scored on a wild pitch to put the Skyhawks up 1-0. Wilde, Duarte, and O'Halloran tallied singles back-to-back-to-back with two outs, as Wilde scored from third for a 2-0 advantage.
Le Moyne left two runners on base in each of the next three innings, as White retired the side each time. In the bottom of the sixth with two outs, the Dolphins put two runners on base with singles and Rocco stopped the rally tracking the ball deep in the second base hole for the third out.
Smith came in for relief in the bottom of the seventh and the Dolphins once again threatened at the plate leaving runners on first and third after two singles, as Smith got Nick Place to ground out to second for the final out.
Stonehill continues to battle in NE10 play as they travel to Worcester, Massachusetts to face Assumption College (11-8, 1-2 NE10) for the first game of their three game series on Wednesday, March 27 with a first pitch slated for 3:30 p.m. on Rocheleau Field.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.