LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore David Kent (N. Falmouth, Mass.) turned in a quality start and freshman Allan McQuarrie (Salem, N.H.) and senior Richie Manzi (Plymouth, N.H.) had RBI singles as part of a three-run third inning to lead the Saint Anselm College baseball team to a 5-3 victory in game one of a doubleheader with the University of Massachusetts Lowell on Saturday afternoon at LeLacheur Park. UMass Lowell posted a 7-0 victory in the second game.
The Hawks move to 14-19-1 on the season, including 3-7 in Northeast-10 Northeast Divison play, while the River Hawks are now 19-13-1, 2-4-1 NE-10 NE.
Saint Anselm jumped out to an early lead in the third behind run-scoring singles from McQuarrie and Manzi. Junior Tito Lluberes (Lawrence, Mass.), who singled in between, crossed the plate after a passed ball to make it 3-0.
UMass Lowell used a three-run inning of its own to tie the game in the fifth, but the Hawks plated single runs in the seventh and eighth to take the lead. Lluberes' sacrifice fly made it 4-3, while senior Rett Ostafin (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) grabbed some insurance when he drew a two-out walk, stole second, moved to third on a single by sophomore Joe Morin (Salem, N.H.) and scored a base hit to left by junior Kyle Grumoli (So. Hadley, Mass.).
Kent (5-1) allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out five and not walking a batter over 7.0 innings. Senior William O'Connor (Worcester, Mass.) picked up his first save of the season with two scoreless innings in which he gave up a hit, walked two and struck out three.
Morin was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs, while McQuarrie (RBI, R), Lluberes (RBI, R) and Grumoli (RBI) were each 2-for-4.
The second game was a pitcher's duel into the sixth when freshman starter Tom Hudon (Merrimack, N.H.) ran into some trouble that led to a seven spot in the inning. Hudon (2-2) went five-plus innings and was charged with three runs on four hits, while walking five and fanning three. Sophomore Ryan Cosmopulos (Seekonk, Mass.) allowed two runs on a hit in 0.1 innings, while freshman Seve Llanio (Glen Arm, Md.) gave up two runs on a hit and a walk in 0.2 innings. Freshman Tyler Buck (Franklin, Mass.) continued his solid showing out of the bullpen with a pair of shutout innings, allowing two hits, two walks and striking out one.
Grumoli went 2-for-3 and Ostafin was 1-for-2. Freshman Ken Morrisino (East Longmeadow, Mass.) was 1-for-1 in a pinch hitting appearance.
The Hawks return to action Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. in the rubber game of the series against UMass Lowell at LeLacheur. The next home game for the Hawks is Saturday, April 20 when they play host to Merrimack College in doubleheader action that begins at noon at Sullivan Park. 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.
