STANDISH, ME – Saint Joseph's (20-10, 7-3 GNAC) split a pair of games with in-state rival Thomas College (10-10) on Tuesday evening, winning the opener 5-3 before falling in the nightcap by a 4-2 deficit. Second baseman Mike Burdin '10 (Gardiner, ME) went 3-5 with a run and two RBI in the twinbill.
In the opener, the Monks used a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth from third baseman Mike Pratt '13 (Dartmouth, MA) to erase a 2-1 deficit and march to victory. Sean Drake '13 (Lebanon, NH) allowed two unearned runs in an inning of relief to pick up his first NCAA victory and Adam Stanclift '13 (Chesterfield, NH) tossed a scoreless seventh inning to collect his second save of the 2010 campaign.
Terriers starter Eric Sucy '13 (Belgrade, ME) took the loss after allowing five earned runs off 11 hits with three K's in six innings.
Burdin was 3-3 with a triple and Todd Keneborus '11 (Hollis Center, ME/Cheverus) and Pratt both went 2-3 in the triumph. SJC starter Andrew Keirstead '10 (Westbrook, ME) scattered five hits and allowed one earned run in three innings and Mason Roberge '11 (Franklin, NH) fanned two in two scoreless innings of relief.
Thomas starting pitcher Payton Austin '10 (Lisbon, ME) managed to keep the Monks' offense in check in the closing contest, as the senior hurler allowed just two runs and five hits in seven innings to collect the victory on the hill. A three-run home run off the bat of designated hitter Mike Busa '12 (Carver, MA) in the third inning lifted the visitors to a 4-0 lead and proved to be more than enough support for Austin.
In the sixth frame, the Monks managed to plate two runs off run-scoring hits by Travis Adams '10 (Saco, ME) and Burdin and the Royal Blue threatened to at least extend the game after loading the bases with one out and Adams at the plate in the bottom of the seventh. The senior catcher scorched a line drive that appeared to be headed down the right field line for extra bases, but Thomas first baseman Josh Nickerson '11 (Stockton Springs, ME) snared the liner and threw to second base for a game-ending double play.
Monks starter Matt Mullen '11 (Rockland, MA) was hit with the losing decision after allowing four runs on three hits and two walks with four K's in three innings. Kevin Chamberlain '11 (Scarborough, ME) fanned four and allowed one hit in two scoreless innings, while Tyler Laverriere '13 (Biddeford, ME) and Stanclift both hurled shutout frames to close out the game.
Saint Joseph's will travel to Gorham on Thursday for a nine-inning game against Southern Maine at 3:30 PM, while Thomas will host Maine-Farmington tomorrow in a conference doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.
