WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior Richie Manzi (Plymouth, N.H.) drove in four runs, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team was swept by Bentley University on Saturday afternoon in its Northeast-10 Northeast Division opener at DeFelice Field. The Hawks fell 15-4 in the opening game and had their rally fall short in a 10-7 decision in game two.
The Hawks drop to 8-13-1 on the season, including 0-2 in Northeast-10 Northeast Division play, while the Falcons improve to 9-13, 2-1 NE-10 NE.
Bentley set the tone in the first game, putting together a four-run top of the first against senior James Farrington (West Milford, N.J.). After the Falcons stretched the lead to 5-0 in the top of the fourth, Saint Anselm posted a four spot of its own in the bottom half to cut the deficit to one.
Senior Robert Kelly (Aurora, Colo.) led off the inning with a walk before moving to second on a single to center by junior Dan Lagasse (Londonderry, N.H.) and scoring on a two-out single through the right side by sophomore Joseph Morin (Salem, N.H.). Lagasse then scored on an error by the shortstop and Manzi plated a pair with a single to right-center.
The Falcons responded with three in the top half of the fifth to push their lead to four before tacking on four in the seventh and another three in the eighth.
Farrington (1-3) relinquished eight runs – seven earned – on seven hits, while walking five and striking out three. Freshman Clayton Welch (Manchester, N.H.) gave up four runs on seven hits and struck out three in 2.1 innings of relief. Sophomore Ryan Cosmopulos (Seekonk, Mass.) allowed a hit in 0.1 innings, while junior Matt Wojichowski (Portsmouth, R.I.) was charged with three runs on a hit and three walks over 0.2 innings. Freshman Terrence Walsh (Milton, Mass.) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out a pair.
Kelly was 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Lagasse was 2-for-4 with a run. Manzi (2 RBI) and Morin (RBI, R) were each 1-for-3.
The Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third of game two when freshman Tom Murphy (Chelmsford, Mass.) doubled down the right field line and scored on a single to center by classmate Ken Morrisino (East Longmeadow, Mass.). Morrisino, who advanced to second on the throw home and went to third on an error, scored when Manzi smacked a base hit to left.
Bentley answered by batting around in the top of the fourth and scoring six runs against sophomore David Kent (North Falmouth, Mass.). The Falcons followed with a pair of runs in both the sixth and seventh innings that opened up a commanding 10-2 lead.
Saint Anselm, however, battled back with a five-run eighth that cut its deficit to three. RBI singles by Manzi and Lagasse made it 10-4 before Manzi came home on a wild pitch to trim it to five. Sophomore Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.) came through with an RBI single and Morin plated Lagasse with an RBI groundout that closed the gap to 10-7.
Kent (3-1) allowed six runs on four hits over 4.0 innings, while walking three and striking out a pair. Sophomore Zachary Brian (Stoneham, Mass.) worked 2.0 innings and gave up a pair of runs on three hits and struck out two. Senior William O'Connor (Worcester, Mass.) tossed two innings and was charged with two runs – both unearned – on three hits and two walks. O'Connor has not allowed an earned run in his last 12.0 innings pitched. Freshman Paul Trabucco (Salem, N.H.) pitched a perfect ninth and struck out one.
Murphy was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, while Lagasse went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Manzi (2 RBI, R) and Morrisino (RBI, 2 R) were each 2-for-5.
The Hawks return to action Monday, April 1 at 3:30 p.m. when they take on Bentley at DeFelice Field. 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 and following us on Twitter @STAHawks.
