Nunez records first homerun of the season for game-winning hit in game one
Kelleher went 3-for-9 on the day with two runs scored, one RBI, turning two double plays |
HOOKSETT, N.H. (April 14, 2018) – The Stonehill College baseball team split the doubleheader against regionally-ranked Southern New Hampshire University with an 8-7 win and a 8-0 shutout loss Saturday afternoon in Northeast-10 Conference divisional play.
Game 1: Stonehill 8 – Southern N.H. 7
The Penmen chimed in early and saw a four-run lead in the bottom of the third, 4-0, with two out of the three hits that inning driving in the runs. John Stanton singled and extended the hit into a double on the throw bringing home Tom Blandini for the first run of the game, 1-0. Dakota Mulcay came up to bat and following Stanton, and on the first pitch put the ball over the right center fence for a three-run homerun.
Southern N.H. picked up another run in the bottom of the fourth, as Thomas Buonopane blasted a solo homerun to left field, 5-0. In the fifth inning, Stonehill was quickly retired for the third time in the game, but the Penmen continued attacking as Caleb Potter also launched a homerun for a two-run shot to right center, adding two to the lead, 7-0.
In the top of the sixth, Stonehill's bats came alive as they batted around, getting the three lead off batters back up to the plate. Matthew Rocco (Newington, Connecticut/Newington) and Tyler Carey (Raynham, Massachusetts/Bridgewater-Raynham) led off with back-to-back-singles and Harrison Sabo (Wilton, Connecticut/Wilton) drove home Rocco with his eighth double of the season, 13th career, cutting the deficit to six, 7-1. Alex Hurley (Rumford, Rhode Island/Worcester Academy) followed with a single of his own to left center driving home Carey from third and William Kelleher (Mansfield, Massachusetts/Mansfield) brought hom Sabo with his own single. Isiah Nunez (Brooklyn, New York/Berkshire School) got the bases loaded with a walk and another run crossed home off Rob Duarte's (Raynham, Massachusetts/Bridgewater-Raynham Regional) single down the right field line, 7-4. Thomas Quinn (Wilbraham, Massachusetts/Wilbraham Monson) also brought home a run with a hard grounder to shortstop keeping the bases loaded for Rocco to find a hole on the right side of the field for the final run of the inning, 7-6. The Skyhawks saw the bases loaded four times, as Nick Artymowicz found the groove and picked up two strikeouts and a ground out to end the inning, stranding three runners on base.
With one out in the top of the seventh, Kelleher singled to left center and Nunez hit his first homerun of the season, second of his career over the left center wall giving the Skyhawks their first lead of the game, 8-7.
Southern N.H. tallied one hit in each of the last two innings to combine for 12 hits, while Stonehill totaled 14 in the victory.
Rocco notches hits in both games to total 25 games with hits out of 27 this season |
Game 2: Stonehill 0 – Southern N.H. 8
Stonehill was shut down in the top of the first inning, as Jake Stearns tallied two ground outs and one strikeout. The Penmen capitalized on a quick inning, as they picked up the first run of the game, 1-0, in the bottom of the frame. After a walk and a stolen base, Sam Henrie singled up the middle and Blandini rounded the bases from second taking their third-straight lead against the Skyhawks in three games.
Rocco and Carey singled and doubled, respectively, for the Skyhawks' first hits of the game, but they were stranded on base with the fourth strikeout of the game in the top of the third. Southern N.H. scored three more runs in the bottom of the frame with a three-run homerun from Jake Coro, sending the ball down the right field line, 4-0.
The Penmen notched two more runs in the fourth and seventh innings for an 8-0 lead, and their third shutout of the season. With 11 hits to the Skyhawks five, Southern N.H. took the series 2-1 after Stonehill broke the Penmen's three-game win streak.
Stonehill (12-15, 5-9 NE10) hosts Assumption College for their home opener on Tuesday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Lou Gorman Field.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
