Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 BRIGEWATER, Mass. – Husson University and Bridgewater
State College split a college baseball doubleheader this afternoon
at BSC's Alumni Park in Bridgewater. The host Bears (6-4)
posted a 3-1 victory in the opener, while Husson (7-8) earned a
split with a 6-5 win in game two.
In the opening game, sophomore
right-hander Jim Balboni (Townsend, MA) allowed one unearned run
and scattered six hits over 6 2/3 innings of work to pick up his
second win of the season. Balboni (2-0) walked four, hit two
batters and struck out two.
The Bears pushed across a run in the bottom of the first as senior
shortstop Brian Medairos (Brockton, MA) led off the frame with a
double and scored on an RBI single by senior third baseman Mark
Claffey (Bellingham, MA).
Bridgewater tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to
take a 3-0 lead. Senior first baseman Tom Couet (East
Freetown, MA) doubled to lead off the inning but was erased on a
fielder's choice grounder. A walk to sophomore second
baseman Seob Yoon (Tokyo, Japan) put runners at first and second,
and one out later Claffey knocked in his second run of the game
with an RBI single. Senior DH Matt Greenberg (Norwell, MA)
followed with an RBI single scoring Yoon from second.
BSC maintained the 3-0 advantage until the seventh. Husson
had runners at the corners with one out when junior first baseman
Chris Maguire (Orland, ME) cut the deficit to two with a sacrifice
fly. A walk to sophomore third baseman Jake Arthers (Belfast,
ME) put two runners on and also chased Balboni from the game.
Junior right-hander Jeff Puopolo (Brockton, MA) was called on to
get the final out and promptly walked the first batter he faced on
four pitchers to load the bases. Puopolo, however, picked up
his first save of the season as he struck out the next batter
looking to end the game.
Junior left-hander Ryan Arsenault (Portland, ME) suffered the loss
on the mound for the Eagles. Arsenault (1-2) went the
distance giving up three runs on nine hits with two walks and two
hit batsmen.
Medairos and Claffey each went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Bears
in game one. Greenberg reached safely in all three of his
plate appearances as he was hit by a pitch twice to go along with
the RBI single.
Junior shortstop Ethan Guerette (Wales, ME) singled twice in four
at bats for Husson. The Eagles had six hits in the game as
well as five walks and two hit batsmen, but grounded into two
double plays and left 11 runners on base.
In game two, Husson jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the
second on RBI singles by sophomore second baseman Cody
Haverly-Johndro (Newport, ME) and freshman right fielder Chase
Daniels (Brewer, ME). Bridgewater answered with a run in the
bottom half of the inning as freshman center fielder John
Garabedian (Mansfield, MA) reached on an error and came all the way
around to score on an RBI double by Couet.
The Eagles pushed across four runs in the fifth to seemingly take
control of the game. With two out and nobody on, junior
center fielder Tom Crews (Bangor, ME) tripled and scored on an RBI
single by sophomore DH Jason Smith (Milford, ME). A Haverly-Johndro
single chased BSC junior starter Billy Blaisdell (Chelmsford, MA)
and freshman reliever Bryant Warner (Harwich, MA) walked the first
batter he faced to load the bases. A passed ball plated the
second run of the frame and a two-run double by sophomore left
fielder Kyle Vanidestine (Bangor, ME) gave Husson the 6-1 lead.
Bridgewater came right back with three runs in the bottom of the
fifth. Medairos singled to lead off the inning and Claffey
walked to put two runners on with nobody out. A ground out
advanced the runners, and back-to-back run scoring singles by
junior left fielder Ian Williams (Taunton, MA) and Garabedian cut
the deficit to 6-3. After Couet was hit by a pitch to load
the bases, freshman catcher Keane Costa singled in Williams to make
it a two-run game.
That would set the stage for the play of the game. Freshman
Tyler Dennis (Stoughton, MA) was called on to pinch hit and his
hard ground ball up the middle seemed destined for center
field. Haverly-Johndro had other ideas however as he made a
great diving play and flipped to short to start the inning ending
double play.
In the sixth, Claffey walked with two outs and scored on a long
triple to left-center field off the bat of Greenberg. Husson
junior starter Kyle Leeman (Bangor, ME) left the tying run at third
as he induced an inning-ending ground out.
The Bears put the tying run on in the seventh as Couet walked with
one out. Senior reliever Bill Bart (Hermon, ME) came on to
save it for Leeman and got a routine fly to right for the second
out of the inning. Freshman right fielder Tory Buck
(Shelburne Falls, MA), who entered the game as a defensive
replacement in the sixth, singled through the right side.
Couet, however, tried to advance to third but was cut down on nice
throw from Daniels to end the game.
Leeman (2-1) went 6 1/3 innings giving up five runs (four earned)
on nine hits with four walks, two hit batsmen and three strikeouts
to earn his second win of the season. Blaisdell (0-2) was
tagged with the loss as he surrendered five runs on nine hits and
four walks with three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Haverly-Johndro paced the Eagles 11-hit attack as he went 3-for-4
with a run and an RBI. Smith and Arthers added two hits
apiece in game two.
Couet reached safely in all four plate appearances as he went
2-for-2 with a single, an RBI double, a walk and a hit by
pitch. Greenberg went 2-for-4 with a single and an RBI
triple. Bridgewater banged out ten hits in game two.
Junior right-hander Brian Guillotte (New Bedford, MA) pitched well
in relief as he worked two scoreless innings with three
strikeouts.
The Eagles will open their
home season on Wednesday, March 24 against Bates at 1:00 in the
Winkin Complex.