Bears Split MASCAC Twinbill with MCLA

Game 1 --- Box Score

Game 2 --- Box Score

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. --- The Bridgewater State Baseball team split a MASCAC double-header this afternoon with Mass. College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) on Senior Day at Alumni Park. Led by senior Steve Smith’s (East Taunton, MA-LF) three doubles, the Bears took game one, 2-1, and then the Trailblazers tallied six runs in the seventh inning to take the nightcap, 11-5.

With the split BSC moves to 20-13 overall and 8-6 in the MASCAC while MCLA goes to 14-13 and 7-5 in league play.

In earlier MASCAC action, Westfield State split with Salem State while Worcester State swept Framingham State to move into a two-way tie for first-place. The final two spots will be determined by tomorrow’s make-up game between MCLA and Mass Maritime.

In game one, Smith and freshman Steven Lambert (Milton, MA-RF) each went 3-for-3. Smith drove in Lambert twice with RBI doubles in the bottom of the first and third innings to put the Bears up 2-0.

Senior Anthony Bruno (Queens, NY-3B) led off the top of the fourth with a triple and scored on an RBI double by junior Cory Burtman (Norwood, MA-RF) as the Trailblazers made the score 2-1.

Nursing a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh, Anderson ran into trouble as the Trailblazers threatened to tie the score with runners on first and second with one out. Senior Brian Schilling (Weymouth, MA) was then summoned from the bullpen and retired the next two batters with a strikeout and a ground-out fielder’s choice to end the game.

Senior righthander Martin Anderson (Meriden, CT) earned his fourth win of the season on the mound for the Bears. Anderson (4-2) went six 1/3 innings allowing one run while scattering four hits. He also struckout seven batters and allowed two walks.

Sophomore James Greeley (Newton, MA) went the distance for MCLA absorbing his sixth loss of the season. Greeley (4-6) threw six solid innings allowing two runs while giving up 12 hits. He also allowed two walks and registered one strikeout.

Senior JT Mooney (North Attleboro, MA-CF) finished the 2-for-3 for Bridgewater State while Schilling notched his MASCAC leading fifth save in the victory. The Bears also finished the game with 12 runners stranded at the plate which included eight left in scoring position.

In game two, MCLA went up 1-0 in the top of the first when sophomore Ken Recore (Averill Park, NY-C) scored on a dropped fly-ball in the outfield.

Bridgewater State then grabbed a 3-1 lead on an RBI single by junior Kelly LaDow (East Falmouth, MA-C) and a two-run triple by Mooney.

The Trailblazers tacked on another run in the top of the second when Parillo crossed the plate on an RBI triple by junior Steve Sullivan (Wareham, MA-LF).

MCLA made it a 5-3 game scoring three runs in the top of the third inning, highlighted by an RBI double by sophomore Tim Burns (Pittsfield, MA-2B) and a run producing single by freshman Joe Parillo (West Springfield, MA-DH).

The Trailblazers threatened to open up the game putting runners on the corners with one out in the top of the fourth inning. Junior reliever Jeff Sarahs (Whitman, MA) came into the game and retired the side to end the threat.

The Bears rallied in the bottom of the fourth and knotted the score 5-5 on an RBI-double by junior Brad Koneski (North Dighton, MA-2B) and an RBI ground-out by sophomore Mark Claffey (Bellingham, MA-3B).

Sarahs retired six-strait batters and then ran into trouble in the top of the seventh inning after he allowed the first two batters to reach on a miscue in the infield and a single. Schilling was then brought into the game and a 5-5 tie quickly turned into an 11-6 advantage as he gave up four unearned runs to cross the plate on four hits and an intentional walk.

MCLA sent eleven batters to the plate in the seventh as they were highlighted by freshman John Ripepi (Amsterdam, NY-SS) and senior Patrick Negrini (West Stockbridge-CF) who each drove in two runs.

Junior righthander Cyrus Curtis (Bourne, MA) picked up his fifth win of the season as he went the distance for the Trailblazers. Curtis (5-2) hurled 106 pitches through seven innings of work as he allowed five runs on eight hits while giving up three walks. He also notched two punchouts on the evening.

Sarahs (1-3) was charged with his third loss of the season on the hill for the Bridgewater State after he allowed the go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh. Sarah’s relieved sophomore Spenser Hatstat (Clinton, MA) in the top of the fourth, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Hatstat relieved freshman Greg Potts (Milton, MA) who allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits in two 2/3 innings of work.

For MCLA, Burns went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs while Recore plated three runs going 2-for-3 at the plate. Recepi went 2-for-5 while Parillo chipped going 2-for-3.

BSC was led by LaDow and Mooney who each finished 2-for-4 while Hansen went 2-for-3, crossing the plate once. LaDow added a run scored and a run plated while Mooney drove in a run to go along with a run.

The Bears cap off their regular season with a double header as they will be entertained by Becker at 3:30 P.M. at Lake Park. The Trailblazers will face-off against Mass Maritime in their MASCAC regular season finale, which will determine the seedings in the upcoming tournament, at 1 o'clock.

Release written by Steven M. Miller, Jr --- Sports Information Correspondent