ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Senior Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.) went 2-for-4, was on base three times and drove in two runs, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team fell to Eckerd College, 11-3, Monday evening at the Turley Complex.
The Hawks, who committed errors in the third, fourth, seventh and eighth innings that led to unearned runs, dip to 0-6 on the season, while the Tritons improve to 9-4.
Eckerd jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against sophomore starter Autrey Gates (Pembroke, N.H.) on an RBI triple to left-center by Carter Cashman. The Tritons then posted a three-spot in the third that included a pair of unearned runs as Cashman drove in two more with a double down the left field line and then Grant Banko's sacrifice fly to center made it 4-0.
The Hawks made it on the board in the fourth as freshman John Marculitis (Shrewsbury, Mass.) singled up the middle to plate senior Joe Morin (Salem, N.H.), who led off the frame with a walk, moved to second on a passed ball and then advanced to third on a grounder to the right side.
Eckerd stretched its lead to 6-1 in the bottom half of the inning as James Petika hit a run-scoring double to left-center and Rowdy Andrews brought him around to score an unearned run on a groundout to third.
Saint Anselm grabbed another in the seventh as Hayden sent a two-out single up the middle to score sophomore Matthew Flynn (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), who drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a groundout. The Tritons broke it open in the bottom of the inning, however, as Matt MacMahon's double to right-center plated two before another pair of unearned runs came home to make it 10-2 when Petika reached on an error.
Andrews capped the Eckerd scoring in the eighth with another unearned run as an RBI double down the right field line, while Hayden stroked another single up the middle in the ninth that plated junior Ken Morrisino (E. Longmeadow, Mass.), who hit a leadoff single to left and grabbed second on a wild pitch.
Gates (0-2) allowed six runs – two earned – on five hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. Freshman Adam Krol (Sunderland, Mass.) relinquished four runs – two earned – on three hits, while striking out a pair in 2.2 innings. Junior Seve Llanio (Glen Arm, Md.) was charged with one unearned run on one hit, while fanning one, in 1.2 innings.
Morrisino was 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, while Hayden (walk, 2 RBI) and Morin (walk, run) were each 2-for-4.
The Hawks return to action Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. when they take on Saint Leo University. 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.
