Baseball Loses in Non-Conference Action at Western New England

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Elms College Baseball team traveled to Western New England University for a non-conference game on Wednesday afternoon.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 8 | Western New England University 14
Records: Blazers 9-17, 3-9 (GNAC) | Golden Bears 3-16, 5-5 (CNE)

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the top of the first inning, first year outfielder Raynel Rodriguez (San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) would lead off with being hit by a pitch, followed by a single to left field by junior infielder Manny Essley (Duxbury, Mass.). Rodriguez would be driven in moments later after senior outfielder Noah Scanlon-Dean (Haley, Mass.) would hit a single through the right side to put Elms ahead first, 1-0. Junior pitcher/outfielder Sean Rosemond (Springfield, Mass.) would take the mound for the Blazers to start the non-conference game. Unfortunately, Western New England would hit back-to-back home runs to take a 3-1 lead, but the Elms defense would stop the bleeding when junior catcher Nicky Calvanese (Longmeadow, Mass.) would throw down to first year infielder Colin Faber (Suffield, Conn.) to catch a runner stealing to end the inning. In the top of the second inning, first year outfielder Ryan Piccola (Oceanside, N.Y.) would hit a single to center field and junior infielder/pitcher Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.) would earn a walk, but the Blazers would not be able to score in the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, the Golden Bears would add a run to their lead. In the third inning, neither team would score, but senior infielder/pitcher Chase Prestia (Newington, Conn.) would relieve Rosemond, and would see a second runner caught stealing by Calvanese and Faber. In the top of the fourth, Faber would hit a lead off single to center field, but Elms would not score in the inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning, WNE would score three runs to bring the score to 7-0. In the top of the fifth inning, the Blazers offense would load the bases when Rodriguez would be hit by a pitch, and back-to-back walks to Essley and Martinez. Then Elms would score a run when sophomore pitcher/infielder Brycen Diaz (Andrews, Texas) would hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Rodriguez. In the bottom half of the inning, senior pitcher Justin Saad (Waterford, Conn.) would relieve Prestia on the mound, where he would record a swinging strikeout, but the Golden Bears would add three runs in the inning. In the top of the sixth inning, Calavense and Ciaglo would both be hit by a pitch, followed by a three-run home run by Rodriguez to right field. Then in the bottom half of the inning, sophomore catcher/pitcher Alex Baeta (Bellingham, Mass.) would relieve Saad on the pitcher's mound, but Western New England would add a run. In the seventh inning, first year catcher Eliam Martinez (Dominican Republic) hit a lead off single to right field. Then with a runner on first base, B.Diaz would hit a two-run home run to left field to bring the deficit to four runs. In the bottom half of the seventh inning, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Sal Ortiz (Springfield, Mass.) would relieve Baeta on the hill. In the top of the eighth inning, Essley would hit a home run to left field, followed by a single by Martinez to left field. Then in the bottom half of the inning, the Golden Bears would score three more runs to extend their lead. In the ninth inning, the Elms offense would try to rally late, seeing Faber hit a double to right center field, but WNE would record the three outs to defeat the Blazers 14-8.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Rodriguez: a hit, with a home run, three runs scored, and three runs batted-in.

• Essley: two hits, with a home run, a run scored, a run batted-in, and a walk.

• Martinez: two hits, a run scored, and a walk.

• B.Diaz: a hit, with a home run, a run scored, and three runs batted-in.

• Scanlon-Dean: two hits, with a double, and a run batted-in.

• Faber: two hits, with a double.

• Ciaglo: a run scored and a walk.

• Piccola: a hit.

• Calvanese: a run scored.

• Rosemond: would pitch two innings.

• Prestia: would pitch two innings.

• Saad: would pitch an inning, with a strikeout.

• Baeta: would pitch one and ⅔ innings.

• Ortiz: would pitch one and ⅓ innings.

UP NEXT: The Elms Baseball team will return to Mackenzie Stadium on Saturday, April 18th hosting University of Saint Joseph, Conn. at 1 & 4 pm for their annual Senior Day in a conference doubleheader.

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