Amherst 5, Worcester State 2
Winter Haven, FL --- Down 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh,
Amherst rallied for four runs in the inning to post a 5-2 victory
this afternoon over Worcester State in non-conference baseball
action. With the win the Lord Jeff’s improve to 2-1 while the
Lancers slip to 2-4 overall.
Worcester State got to sophomore starter Ryan Healey (Westport,
CT) to start off the game when junior TJ Magnell
(Leominster, MA-3B) and senior Nick Caparell (N.
Attleboro, MA-RF) would each cross the plate on fielding errors in
the infield to go up 2-0 in the top of the first.
Healey would then settle down and retire 11 of 13 batters from the
second through the fifth innings. In the top of the sixth with one
out Caparell and sophomore Shawn Coakley (Spencer,
MA-DH) would notch back-to-back hits and move into scoring position
on a double-steal, but Healey retired the next two batters to get
out of the jam.
Amherst got within a run on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Scott
Shaffer (Boulder, CO-CF) in the bottom of the sixth to make it a
2-1 contest. After a scoreless top of the seventh the Lord Jeffs
staged their comeback in the bottom half of the frame.
Sophomore Max Einhorn (Scarsdale, NY-3B) led off the inning with a
single and pinch runner freshman John Wagner (Evanston, IL) scored
the tying run on a senior Andrew Shaller (Leucadia, CA-DH) double.
Pedley then moved to third on an infield single and he crossed the
plate for the go-ahead run with a squeeze play in the next at-bat.
Amherst continued to build on the lead as they notched a pair of
runs on a miscue by the pitcher and an error in the infield.
Junior Ted Blank (Waban, MA), who relieved Healey in the top of
the sixth, tossed three shutout innings to post his first victory
of the season. Blank scattered two hits while finishing with a pair
of strikeouts.
Third-year Mike Borowiec’s (Spencer, MA)
debut was spoiled on the mound as he was efficient over his six
innings of work. Borowiec threw just 73 pitches yielding just one
run, five hits, one walk and four punchouts. Borowiec makes his
first start of the season after coming back from Tommy John
surgury.
Senior right-hander Andy Cunningham (Leicester,
MA) received the loss after he allowed the tying and go-ahead runs
to score. Cunningham and freshman Kyle St. Thomas
(Bridgewater, MA) combined to give up four runs (two earned) on
five hits while neither recorded a walk or a strikeout.
Second-year Johno Hinkell (N. Adams, MA-C) went
2-for-4 with a double for WSC while senior Matt
Hart (N. Easton, MA-CF) went 1-for-4 with a two-bagger in
the lead-off spot.
Einhorn, Pedley and sophomore Brian Merrigan (Holbrook, MA)
combined for six hits in nine at bats with two runs scored.
Worcester State is back in action tomorrow in a double-header
against SUNY Purchase in Auburndale, FL at Chain Lakes Field #2.
Freshman classmates Tyler Metcalf (Bellingham, MA)
and Phil Recco (Boston, MA) each take the mound
tomorrow for the Lancers.