HENNIKER, N.H. – Saint Joseph's College (19-11) split a non-conference doubleheader with New England College (13-11) on Monday afternoon. The Monks won the opener, 8-5, and ran into a buzzsaw of a starting pitcher in a 3-0 nightcap loss.
GAME ONE:
Trailing 2-0 going into the top of the third, Saint Joseph's took the lead for good with four runs on four hits and an NEC error. Senior third baseman Ronan Chisholm (North Chatham, Mass.) kicked off the scoring with a two-run single and later scored on a passed ball and grad left fielder Ben Gravel (Rochester, N.H.) sent Zach Miles (Concord, N.H.) – who reached with a free pass – home with a sac fly.
The Monks delivered four more runs on three hits and another NEC miscue in the top of the fifth, when grad first baseman Drew Healey (Rochester, N.H.) and freshman second baseman Michael Wearne (Ellington, Conn.) both recorded two-run singles to make it an 8-2 game.
The Pilgrims tightened the collar with three runs on four hits and two SJC errors in the bottom of the fifth and had the bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh, but Gravel – who entered the game in relief to start the frame – closed out the game with a strikeout and an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.
ON THE MOUND:
- SJC senior starter Matthew Bergeron (Salem, N.H.) improved to 4-2 after allowing five runs (three earned) off eight hits with three K's in five innings; first-year reliever Hugh Barrett (Durham, Conn.) allowed a hit in an inning of relief, and Gravel notched his first career save after giving up two hits with a punch-out in a scoreless seventh inning
- NEC starter Alex Perez fell to 4-2 on the year after yielding four runs (three earned) on five hits with two K's in three innings
OFF THE BAT:
- Chisholm was 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI
- Wearne went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a pair of RBI
- Senior right fielder Jake Laplume (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) was 1-for-3 with a run and a stolen base
- Healey went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI
- Freshman center fielder Cliff Ward (Cohasset, Mass.) added two hits and a run in four at-bats
- For NEC, Brady Philibotte, Michael Ciccotelli, Connor Morin, Harutaro Takahashi and Patrick Hagerty posted two hits apiece
GAME TWO:
NEC senior starting pitcher Shayne Audet was brilliant in the 3-0 nightcap triumph, as the hard throwing righthander allowed just one hit and fanned 13 SJC batters in a complete game (seven inning) effort. The Monks were unable to move a runner past second base in the setback while the Pilgrims plated three runs on two hits and an SJC error in the bottom of the first to account for the 3-0 final.
ON THE MOUND:
- SJC senior starter Matt Poff (Pelham, N.H.) suffered his first loss (4-1) of the year after yielding three runs (one earned) off four hits in four innings; Devan Harrison (Pocasset, Mass.) and Sean McDonough (Concord, N.H.) combined to allow two hits and fan two batters in the fifth and sixth innings combined
- Perhaps the best pitcher the Monks have faced so far this season, Audet held the Monks to just one hit and two walks with 13 strikeouts over seven shutout frames
OFF THE BAT:
- Morin was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI
- The Monks' lone hit came with two out in the top of the third when Ward doubled down the right field line
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
With the split, Saint Joseph's is now 10-2 all-time versus New England College.
NEXT!
St. Joe's will host Husson University on Thursday at 5:00 PM.
