The Assumption University baseball team squared off with the number 10 nationally ranked SNHU Penmen on Monday afternoon in a nonconference matchup at the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough. The Penmen got on the board in the first two innings, but the Hounds battled back until a unfavorable sixth inning for the Hounds unfolded. 

The Penmen started the day with a two out homer to center field from Sam Henrie that senior centerfielder Connor Wironen (Leominster, Mass.) couldn't get enough glove to keep it in the yard and SNHU took the early 1-0. Idelson Taveras then followed the home half of the second for the Penmen with a two out, two run opposite field homerun to give the hosts a 3-0 lead. 

 The Hounds battled back in the fourth when Jared Berardino (Rowley, Mass) got his second hit of the day and reached second on a pickoff attempt that was thrown away, and came around to score when Jack Barry (Bridgewater, Mass) had an RBI single up the middle to cut the lead to 3-1. Jake Hamel (Uxbridge, Mass.) brought home the second Hounds run of the day when he rolled a grounder up the line on the right side that was just enough for Barry to race home and score to make it a 3-2 ballgame. 

 The sixth inning proved costly for the Hounds when the first two batters got on via a single and walk, Alex Kennedy delivered the big blow of the inning with double into the right center field gap scoring both runners. Taveras followed up the double by hitting a single to left that was overrun by Berardino and Kennedy came home to score to give the Penmen a 6-2 lead. SNHU added two more in the sixth when Taveras came around to score on a dropped third strike that got away from Christopher Rabias (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Danniel Rivera scored on a groundout by Dakota Mulcay to give the hosts an 8-2 lead. Taveras added his third hit of the day and team leading fourth RBI for the Penmen in the seventh. 

 Patrick Harrington got the start for the Hounds and took the loss going three innings and allowing three runs (all earned) while striking out two. Josh Roberge started for SNHU and got the win going seven innings and struck out five. 

 The Hounds are back in action on Thursday for a non conference matchup vs AIC. First pitch is set for 3:00pm.