Lucier went 3-for-7, drove in 2 runs and earned his first-career save on the mound
EASTON, Massachusetts (May 8, 2021) – The Stonehill College baseball team (17-14, 12-12 NE10) split with Bentley University (16-10, 15-9 NE10) Saturday afternoon on DeFelice Field in the final regular season series, as the Falcons walked off in game one, 3-2, and the Skyhawks rallied and held on for a 7-6 win in game two.
Game 1: Stonehill 2 – Bentley 3
Standout Performers:
- Conor Kiely: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, stolen base
- Graham Herrick: 1-for-3, run
- Trey Ciulla-Hall: 2-for-3, run
- Blaine Lidsky: 1-for-3
Key Moments:
In a pitcher's duel, where each team tallied five hits, Bentley came out on top with their second walk-off of the series, 3-2. Stonehill put up two runs in the top of the second as Herrick led off with a single to left center and Ciulla-Hall pushed the ball out to right field, for runners on first and second. Matt Farragher dropped a sacrifice bunt to put runners in scoring position, and with two outs and the bases loaded from Mike Maher being hit by a pitch, Kiely drove the ball out to right field for two runs, 2-0.
The Falcons cut the deficit to one as Ryan Berardino scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fourth, 2-1. Rice retired eight-straight batters heading into the bottom of the seventh, until Bentley put runners on the corners and then Joe Cacciatore stole second putting the Falcons in scoring position with two outs. Tim Zupkus sent a long fly ball out to left field bringing in Joe Boushell for the tying run and then Cacciatore for the game-winning run, 3-2.
Pitcher Records:
Win: Bentley, Jimmy Hodgson (2-0)
Loss: Stonehill, Jonathan Rice (2-2)
Game 2: Stonehill 7 – Bentley 6
Standout Performers:
- John Orzechowski: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 walks,
- Blaine Lidsky: 2-for-4, 2 runs
- Noah Lucier: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, run,
0.1 innings pitched, 1 strikeout, 1st career save - Trey Ciulla-Hall: 1-for-4, run
- Matt Farragher: 2-for-5, RBI, run
- Graham Herrick: 1-for-2, RBI, run
Ciulla-Hall went 2-for-7 with 2 runs scored in the doubleheader |
Key Moments:
In another evenly matched game, both teams totaled 11 hits, while Stonehill's pitching staff struck out four batters and Bentley's struck out seven. Both teams put up a run in the first inning, as the Skyhawks saw Lidsky connect for an RBI single and the Falcons' Rizzuto did the same in the bottom of the frame, 1-1.
With three-straight hits, Bentley put up three runs in the bottom of the third to take their first lead of the game, 4-1. The two teams went back and forth in the fourth and fifth, as Stonehill put up three and Bentley added two to their score, 6-4.
Stonehill's biggest inning came in the top of the eighth as they strung together four hits, three-straight to kick off the frame, to take their second lead of the game, 7-6. Herrick drove in a run on an RBI single up the middle with no outs and Farragher scored off of a ground out to first base. With runners on second and third, Orzechowski hit a deep grounder to shortstop and was called safe at first, as Herrick ran home for the third run.
Bentley looked to threaten in the bottom of the ninth, but Lucier retired the side with his lone strikeout stranding runners on second and third to hold on for the win, 7-6.
Pitcher Records:
Win: Stonehill, Joey Morgan (1-1)
Save: Stonehill, Noah Lucier (1)
Loss: Bentley, David Morganelli (1-1)
Up Next:
Stonehill will be playing at Assumption University (11-10, 11-10 NE10) in the first round of the NE10 Tournament on Tuesday, May 11, time is to be determined.
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.
