MANCHESTER, N.H. – Junior Tom Hudon (Merrimack, N.H.) kept the game tied into the fourth inning and allowed three runs over 5.2 frames, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team was held off by Southern New Hampshire University in a 4-1 defeat Saturday night at Penmen Field.
The Hawks drop to 7-15 on the season, including 4-5 in Northeast-10 play and 3-5 in the Northeast Division, while the Penmen improve to 16-7, 4-2 NE-10, 4-2 NE-10 NE.
Hudon and Southern New Hampshire starter Mike Robert threw up zeroes into the fourth inning when the Penmen finally jumped on the board. Mike Montville led off the stanza with a solo shot to left before Hudon recorded two straight outs. He then ran into trouble as he issued back-to-back walks before a Derek Bauer double to center brought home a pair of runs that made it 3-0.
Saint Anselm grabbed one back in the fifth when junior Ken Morrisino (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) singled to center to score freshman Max Wadington (Burlington, Conn.), who reached on a base hit to center and moved to second on a walk by sophomore Matthew Flynn (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.).
After Robert struck out his 14th batter to get through 4.2 innings, SNHU went to the bullpen and tabbed Jake Walkinshaw, who uncorked a wild pitch that put the tying run in scoring position, but then induced a groundout off the bat of senior Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.) to get out of the inning.
The Penmen added an unearned run in the seventh when Manny Cruz led off with a single back up the middle, moved to second on Montville's base hit to left, advanced to third on a passed ball and then scored on another passed ball to bump the lead to 4-1.
The Hawks threatened in the eighth as they had a pair in scoring position with one out and packed the bases with two outs, but could not score. Stephen Fortuna then earned the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Hudon (3-4) allowed three runs on three hits, striking out 11 and walking seven over 5.2 innings. Sophomore Cameron Latta (Lowell, Mass.) was charged with one run – unearned – on two hits, while striking out one and walking one in 1.0 inning. Junior Tyler Buck (Franklin, Mass.) tossed a shutout 1.1 innings, giving up a hit and a walk.
Senior Joe Morin (Salem, N.H.) was 1-for-2 with a walk, while Wadington (run) and Hayden were each 1-for-4. Morrisino went 1-for-5 with an RBI.
Robert allowed one run on three hits, while fanning 14 and walking two in 4.2 innings. Walkinshaw threw a scoreless 3.1 innings, giving up just one hit, striking out four and walking one. Fortuna struck out two in his perfect ninth.
The Hawks return to action Sunday, April 12 (12/3 p.m.) when they play host to Adelphi University in doubleheader action 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.
