WORCESTER, Mass. – The Assumption baseball team closed out their 2023 campaign with a pair of wins over Saint Anselm College on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Rocheleau Field.
THE BASICS
Game One Score: Assumption University 5, Saint Anselm College 3
Game Two Score: Assumption University 11, Saint Anselm College 8
Records: Greyhounds (15-32, 8-16 NE10), Hawks (11-35, 7-17 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME ONE – Assumption University 5, Saint Anselm College 3
The Hawks got on the board first in the top of the second with an RBI single from Zack Clough and an error at shortstop from Jake Hamel, putting Saint Anselm up 2-0. The visitors were threatening again in the third inning, cracking a double with only one out. Shea Ryan was able to bounce back, getting two straight outs to get the Hounds out of the jam.
The Hounds got on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Christopher Rabias hit a double into the gap, scoring one run. Hamel helped Assumption get the lead, smacking a two-run single into left field to bring home two runs and put the home side up 3-2. Kevin Cox kept it going, hitting a shot up the middle to score Hamel and increase the lead.
Saint Anselm responded by loading the bases in the top of the fifth, but Ryan bounced back on the mound, dropping two straight strikeouts. Rabias continued his hot streak at the plate, smacking another single down the third base line to put the Hounds up 5-2.
The lead was cut into almost immediately in the sixth once the Hounds hit the bullpen, but only one run was scored, and Assumption held a 5-3 lead halfway through the sixth. The game went into the top of the seventh with the Greyhounds leading 5-3, Ryan posted a 1-2-3 inning, and Assumption took game one 5-3.
Shea Ryan picked up the win in game one, as he pitched 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out nine. Shane Cronin closed the door and tossed the final two innings, where he allowed just one run.
GAME TWO – Assumption University 11, Saint Anselm College 8
Saint Anselm responded fast in game two, scoring in the top of the first. Assumption would work bases loaded in the bottom of the third and tie the game up at 2-2, working walks and capitalizing on passed balls. Eric Preston singled to left center and scored Hamel and Rabias, followed by Kevin Cox batting in another run to go up 5-2. Connor Wironen batted in two more with a double RBI single to right center, extending the lead to 8-2 in a tough third inning for the Saint Anselm pitchers. The Greyhounds ended up scoring eight runs in the third inning.
In the top of the fifth, Emilio Acosta saved a potential danger moment for Assumption, fielding an extra-base hit and throwing out the runner at second base to keep the base paths clear. The Greyhounds would load the bases again in the bottom of the fifth, and Podelec crushed a two-RBI single to build the lead to 10-2 with no outs. Jack Barry came home on a passed ball at home plate, and the inning ended with Assumption up 11-2.
Through seven, the Hounds kept an 11-3 lead and had the bases loaded but could not capitalize. In the top of the ninth, the Hawks made it interesting by adding four more runs, but Assumption was able to see it out and win both games, taking game two 11-8.
Griffin O'Conner picked up the win after pitching 7.0 innings, where he allowed four hits and struck out nine.
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