COCOA, Fla. -- The Washington College baseball team banged out 24 hits in a 17-9 season-opening win over Bridgewater State College this afternoon in Cocoa, Florida.
The Shoremen got four-hit performances from junior third baseman Matt Boucher (Alexandria, VA) and freshman catcher John Rolewicz (Bear, DE) in the victory over the Bears (1-1).
Sophomore left fielder Jeff Puopolo (Brockton, MA) went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored for Bridgewater State. Senior catcher Kelly LaDow (East Falmouth, MA) finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in while sophomore shortstop Brian Medairos (Brockton, MA) went 2-for-4 with a two-run double and a run scored.
Freshman designated hitter David Dole (West Bridgewater, MA) belted his first collegiate home run for the Bears. Dole's two-run blast came in the bottom of the fourth and, at the time, pulled the Bears to within just three runs.
The Shoremen wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, plating seven runs in a first inning which included a two-run triple by senior shortstop Greg Perret (Morris Plains, NJ). Bridgewater State trailed, 10-4, before getting three runs across in the bottom of the fourth highlighted by Dole's four-bagger. Washington answered with a run in the fifth, two in the sixth, and three in the seventh to open up a 16-7 lead. Boucher then led off the top of the eighth inning with his first collegiate home run to tack on the Shoremen's final run. Bridgewater State pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth and another in the bottom of the ninth to provide the final margin.
Sophomore pitcher Harry Woods (Montclair, NJ) picked up the win for the Shoremen, allowing seven runs, four of them earned, in five innings of work. Senior Dave Liffers (Norwell, MA) took the loss on the mound for the Bears as he allowed seven runs in two full innings of work.
Bridgewater will take on Gettysburg College in a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 10 AM. Washington will return to action tomorrow with a 7:00 PM game against Penn State-Brandywine.