Worcester, Mass. (March 21) -- The Assumption College men's baseball team defeated Merrimack College, 10-9, in non-conference play on Thursday night on a walkoff hit by Billy Johnson (Aurburn, Mass./Holy Name).

Johnson finished the game 3-for-4 with one run and four RBI, while Shane Keddy (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Tech) had a 3-for-5 day with two RBI. Kelvin Sims (Manchester, Conn./East Catholic), Travis Smith (Coventry, R.I./Bishop Hendricken), and Nick Napoli (Medford, Mass./Boston College) each had two hits on the day.

After three scoreless innings, Assumption got on the board with a three-run fourth inning. Merrimack answered with four runs in the top of the fifth, and Assumption added a run on an RBI single by Keddy.

Merrimack scored another run in the top of the sixth, to give the Greyhounds a 7-5 lead after six innings.

The Warriors took the lead back, 9-7, by adding four runs in the top of the seventh, but Assumption countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame to again tie the score.

Assumption reliever Frank Flynn (Worcester, Mass./St. Peter-Marian) entered the game in the top of the eighth and pitched two scoreless innings, setting Johnson up for the heroics.

With one out, Joe Lopes (Warwick, R.I./Bishop Hendricken) reached after getting hit by a pitch. Michael Smith pinch ran for Lopes, and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and third on a long fly ball to right field, bringing Johnson to the plate with two outs.

Johnson delivered, ripping a fastball into left field for the game-winning single.

The Hounds improve to 6-5 with the victory, while Merrimack falls to 9-9 with the loss. Flynn picked up the victory to move to 1-1.

Assumption returns to the field on Sunday, as the team plays host to Southern New Hampshire University for a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.