Seven-Run Third Inning Leads NEC Past Lasell

Henniker, NH—The Lasell College baseball team got a strong all-around performance from starting pitcher Josh Sullivan (Rockland, MA) on Thursday, but the Lasers could not hang on to pick up the victory as New England College triumphed, 11-7, after a seven-run third inning.  Sullivan struck out four Pilgrims in five innings of work, while also topping the offense with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, including a double, three runs, and two RBI. 

Lasell plated two runs in the top of the first inning.  Matt Mahoney (Rockland, MA) and Sullivan both walked and Conor Cavanagh (Quincy, MA) reached first on a Pilgrim error to load the bases.  Mike Mahoney (Rockland, MA) knocked Matt Mahoney and Sullivan in with a base-hit.

The Lasers held the 2-0 lead until the bottom of the third inning when the Pilgrims used six hits and two errors to score seven runs, three unearned.  Three base-hits started the inning, allowing John Holtman (Mendon, VT) to score the first run on a miscue by Lasell’s second baseman and Jimmy Lauzon (Manchester, NH) to steal home in the following play.  Two doubles and a single knock by New England College brought in the final five runs.

In the seventh, Lasell found the opportunity to add more runs, beginning when Sean Ruderman (Pittsfield, MA) singled and Jake Salkovitz (Brockton, MA) added an extra-base hit.  Sullivan earned two RBI on the following play and Carlton Lentini (Wilmington, MA) shot a sacrifice fly into left field to send Sullivan home. The Lasers left two men on the sacks at the end of the inning.

New England tallied four more runs through the seventh and eighth innings, bringing the score to 11-5.  Sullivan scored on a Mike Mahoney slice and Cavanagh scored on a ground out by Lentini in the ninth, to produce the final outcome.

For the Lasers, Sullivan took the loss, throwing five innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs (four earned).  Randy Weiner (Randolph, MA) gave up three runs in two relief innings, while striking out one and Joe McKernan (Bourne, MA) closed the game, retiring one batter on strikes.

Mike Mahoney, Salkovitz, and Mike Grenier (Fitchburg, MA) all had multiple hits in the contest for Lasell.  Mike Mahoney also earned three RBI and Lentini collected two. 

Adam Climo (Southport, ME) went seven innings on the mound for NEC, allowing nine hits and five runs (all earned) in the victory.

Lasell will continue on to their sixth straight day of competition on Friday, April 23^rd when they face regional non-conference opponent Framingham State College at 3:30 p.m. on Stein Diamond at Brandeis University.