MANCHESTER, N.H. – Senior Robert Kelly (Aurora, Colo.) homered and drove in three runs, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team lost a 14-10 slugfest against crosstown rival and 13th-ranked Southern New Hampshire University on Wednesday afternoon at Penmen field.
The Hawks sink to 8-15-1 on the season, including 3-5 in Northeast-10 play and 0-4 within the Northeast Division. The Penmen are now 19-6, 5-3 NE-10, 3-2 NE-10 NE.
Saint Anselm jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI groundout from Kelly, a single through the right side from sophomore Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.) and a sacrifice fly from sophomore Joe Morin (Salem, N.H.).
Southern New Hampshire answered and then some in the bottom of the frame as it plated four runs against freshman Clayton Welch (Manchester, N.H.) – highlighted by a two-run single from Andy Lalli – to grab a 4-3 edge. The Penmen then waved around single runs in the second and fourth innings to open up a three-run cushion.
The Hawks clawed their way back into it as Kelly's two-run shot down the right field line in the fifth cut the deficit to just a single run at 6-5. SNHU once again answered back in a big way in the bottom of the inning, however, as Jon Minucci's leadoff home run and Matt Boulter's two-run single widened the gap to 9-5.
An error and an RBI single to right-center by sophomore Zach Husband (Bedford, N.H.) halved Saint Anselm's deficit in the sixth, but another Boulter two-run single fueled a five-run sixth for Southern New Hampshire that opened the lead to 14-7.
Saint Anselm chipped away at the SNHU lead with a run in the seventh on a Morin single through the right side that drove in Kelly, who doubled down the right field line. The Hawks scored two more in the eighth on Hayden's bases loaded single to left that brought in one, followed by a second after an error by the left fielder. The visitors would strand the two remaining runners, however, and go 1-2-3 in the ninth.
Welch (0-3) relinquished six runs on eight hits and a pair of walks over 3.1 innings. Freshman Paul Trabucco (Salem, N.H.) also gave up six runs as he allowed six hits, while walking one and striking out two in 2.1 innings. Senior William O'Connor (Worcester, Mass.) recorded one out and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk. Sophomore Ryan Cosmopulos (Seekonk, Mass.) tossed a pair of hitless frames as he walked one and struck out one.
Morin was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored, while Kelly (3 RBI, 2 R) and Hayden (2 RBI) were each 2-for-4.
The Hawks return to action Thursday, April 4 at 3:30 p.m. when they play a second make-up tilt with Southern New Hampshire. The home opener for the Hawks will be Saturday, April 6 when they play host to American International College at Sullivan Park in doubleheader action that begins at noon. 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.
