BELMONT, N.C. – Sophomore Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.) drove in a pair of runs and senior James Farrington (West Milford, N.J.) limited the Crusaders to just two runs over five innings, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team fell to Belmont Abbey College, 6-3, Saturday afternoon at Abbey Yard in the team's season opener.
Saturday's second game was suspended due to darkness with the score tied at seven in the top of the ninth. The game will resume Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by the regularly scheduled game after the completion of game two.
The Hawks start out the season 0-1, while the Crusaders remain perfect at 5-0.
With the game scoreless into the bottom of the fifth, Belmont Abbey finally reached Farrington with two outs. After John Pilla singled to right center and moved up 90 feet when Ian Vazquez drew a walk, Emilio Pagan came through with a two-run single to center.
After senior William O'Connor (Worcester, Mass.) took over for Farrington and retired three straight batters following a leadoff double by Kennan Stanley in the sixth, the Crusaders grabbed a pair off him in the seventh. Gabby Amor reached on an error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Pilla. Vazquez then scored Amor with a single to left that made it 3-0.
Freshman Terrence Walsh (Milton, Mass.) made his collegiate debut when he replaced O'Connor. Vazquez greeted him by stealing second and then scoring on Pagan's single up the middle. Pagan went to second on a wild pitch and to third on an Anthony Dimino single. Stanley flied to left to plate Vazquez just before Dimino was thrown out after he left first early when tagging up.
The Hawks made two quick outs in the top of the eighth before junior Dan Lagasse (Londonderry, N.H.) walked, went to second on a single by senior Robert Kelly (Aurora, Colo.) and to third on an error by the left fielder. Hayden scored them both with a double to left that made it 5-2 before junior Kyle Grumoli (So. Hadley, Mass.) singled up the middle to drive in Hayden and trim the deficit to two.
The Crusaders tacked on an insurance run against junior Zachary Brian (Stoneham, Mass.) in the bottom of the frame when Quinn Hawksworth singled, stole second and scored on Michael Falsetti's single to center.
Pagan, who allowed Grumoli's single before getting the final out of the eighth, worked around a fielding error to strike out the side and earn the save in the ninth.
Hayden and Kelly were each 2-for-4 with a run scored. Grumoli was 1-for-4 with a run.
Farrington (0-1) went 5.0 innings and gave up two runs on three hits, while striking out eight and walking a pair. O'Connor worked 1.1 innings and allowed two runs – one earned – on two hits and a walk. Walsh faced two batters and was charged with two hits and a run. Brian tossed the final 1.2 innings and relinquished a run on three hits and struck out one.
Cody Stull (2-0) allowed three runs – two earned – on four hits, while striking out six and walking three over 7.2 innings. Pagan earned his second save of the year by striking out four and giving up a hit in the final 1.1 innings.
The Hawks return to action Sunday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. when they finish Saturday's suspended second game. The regularly scheduled game will follow after the completion of the first game. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/STAHawks) and following us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/STAHawks).
