WINTER HAVEN, FL - Saint Joseph's fell to 2-2 on the young season after suffering a pair of one-run losses to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (4-0) on Monday afternoon. For the day, Chris Campbell '11 (Rochester, NH) went 5-8 with four runs and two RBI and Todd Keneborus '11 (Hollis Center, ME/Cheverus) was 5-8 with three runs, two doubles, a triple, and four RBI.
In the opener, St. Joe's held a 2-1 lead heading into the third inning when the Monks' offense produced 10 runs off nine hits and three WPI errors to go up 12-1. The Engineers responded by scoring seven runs in the bottom of the third and plated five more in the fifth; all the while silencing the SJC bats en route to a 13-12 triumph.
The Monks' chance at achieving a comeback triumph of their own came in the nightcap, as the Engineers led 7-1 halfway through the fourth frame. St. Joe's scored three in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in both the sixth and seventh innings, but the rally effort came up a run short with WPI completing the sweep by edging the Monks, 9-8.
After scoring 10 runs in a single inning, the Monks' bats went cold, as the Royal Blue failed to score again in each of the subsequent six innings and recorded just five hits, while striking out seven times and grounding into a double play thrice, during those frames.
Overall, St. Joe's used eight pitchers in the two games, with four making their collegiate debut. Jimmy Kennedy '13 (York, ME) proved to be the most effective of the rookie hurlers, as the righty allowed one hit and a walk with a punch out over the final 2 2/3 innings of the closing contest.
GAME ONE
Keneborus opened the game scoring with a two-out, two-RBI triple to right-center. Campbell, who doubled, and Ben Grant-Roy '10 (Biddeford, ME), who reached via hit by pitch, scored on the play.
Freshman right hander Chad Rafferty (Keene, NH) started for the Monks on the hill in the first game, and the highly-touted rookie saw his very first college offering deposited over the left field fence by WPI leadoff hitter Mark Dignum '10 (Albany, NY). Despite the precarious start, Rafferty settled in by whiffing five of the next six batters while his lineup provided plenty of punch with a 12-1 cushion.
The fireworks provided by the Monks in the third was highlighted by Mike Pratt's '13 (Dartmouth, MA) first career home run, a three-run blast to left off WPI starter Alex Hansen '10 (Burlington, CT). Pat Moran '10 (Winterport, ME) produced a two-run single and Grant-Roy plated a pair in the big inning. Keneborus, Adams and Nate Martin '13 (Chebeague Island, ME), who registered his first NCAA hit and stolen base, all drove home single runs during the onslaught.
For Rafferty, the long layoff during the Monks' hit parade may have had a negative effect, as the first-year hurler registered just one out before being chased in the bottom of the third inning. After allowing five runs, including a two-run longball to Matt Moreau '10 (Manchester, NH), Rafferty was lifted in favor of Adam Stanclift '13 (Chesterfield, NH), who fanned three and managed to stop the bleeding for the most part over the next 1 2/3 innings.
Chris Dion '11 (Lawrence, MA) and Sean Drake '13 (Lebanon, NH) worked the fifth frame and combined to allow five runs off four hits and a pair of SJC miscues. Andrew Keirstead '10 (Westbrook, ME) tossed a scoreless sixth, but St. Joe's was unable to must any offense in the team's final four turns at the plate.
For St. Joe's, Grant-Roy was 2-3 with three runs and two RBI and Eric LaBatte '11 (Rochester, NH) went 2-4 with a run scored. Dion was hit with the loss with four runs allowed in 1/3 inning of relief.
For WPI, Joe Walsh '10 (Weymouth, MA) was 3-3 with two runs and two RBI and Mike Swanton '10 (Foxboro, MA) was 3-4 with two runs. Hansen surrendered 11 earned runs over 2 1/3 innings and reliever Forrest Dwyer '12 (Winthrop, ME) picked up the victory after tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the Engineers. Thomas Whiting '10 (Farmington Hills, MI) collected the save with two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh inning of work.
GAME TWO
Righty Kevin Chamberlain '11 (Scarborough, ME) took the mound for the Monks in the nightcap and got off to a good start, but the Engineers manufactured a pair of runs with two out in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead.
Chamberlain was chased in the third, as WPI managed to plate three more to gain a 5-0 cushion off a two-run single by John Flynn '12 (Albion, ME) and an RBI base knock by Cody McGregor '10 (Westfield, MA). Keirstead came on in relief once again and closed the door by inducing a Bryan Watkins '11 (Belmont, MA) groundout.
Craig Woodbrey '10 (Gorham, ME) notched a one-out single in the bottom of the third and later scored on a sac fly by Danny Achorn '12 (Bow, NH) to make it a four-run game, but Moreau hit a two-run home run to right field off Keirstead in the top of the fourth to put his team up 7-1.
The Monks put up a three-spot in their next turn, with Woodbrey belting a two-run double down the right field line and Campbell registering an RBI base hit to make it a 7-4 game. The Engineers responded with two runs in the fifth, with both being charged to first-year right hander Tyler Laverriere (Biddeford, ME), who was making his first collegiate appearance.
Kennedy came on in relief for Laverriere and managed to keep the Engineers off balance for the remainder of the game. The Monks plated a pair in the fifth and added another in the sixth to make it a 9-7 game. The Royal Blue may very well have won the second game if not for an outstanding basket catch by WPI center fielder Cody McGregor. With runners on first and second, Keneborus lifted a booming blast to dead center, but McGregor sprinted towards the fence and caught the ball over his right shoulder just before the wall.
In the bottom of the seventh, Campbell drove home Kyle Neagle '12 (Lisbon Falls, ME) with a chopper to short to cut the WPI lead to 9-8 and cap the game scoring.
For the Monks, Woodbrey was 2-4 with a run and two RBI and Nick Saunders '13 (Brooksville, ME) was 2-4 with a run and a double. Chamberlain was hit with the losing decision after allowing eight hits and four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.
For WPI, Moreau was 2-4 with two runs and two RBI, Flynn went 2-3 with two runs and two RBI and Nick Bean '12 (Middleboro, MA) went 3-4 with a run scored. Starting pitcher Kyle Boucher '11 (Manchester, NH) earned the win after allowing three earned runs and six hits in four innings.
Tuesday is the Monks' off-day, as the Royal Blue will swing back into action on Wednesday with a twinbill against Loras College at 12:30 PM. WPI will play Eastern Nazarene on Tuesday at 9:00 AM.
