MCLA and Elms split Sunday double-header

From Elms College Sport Information

HOLYOKE, MA, April 26, 2009- Sophomore second baseman Hector Roche (Bronx, NY) went two for three and had two RBI as Elms College defeated MCLA 5-3 in the nightcap of a non-conference baseball doubleheader Sunday at MacKenzie Stadium.

MCLA, which won the first game 15-7, moved to 19-13 on the season. Elms College, meanwhile, moved to 16-16.

The Blazers, who return to non-conference play at WPI on Tuesday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m., await seedings for next weekend’s inaugural four-team, double-elimination New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Tournament. That announcement is expected from the conference office on Monday, April 27.

In Sunday’s doubleheader, the Blazers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning.  Junior right fielder Justin Jacobs (Springhill, FL) began the frame for the Blazers with a lead-off single up the middle.  Freshman right fielder Zach Cerra (South Windsor, CT) followed by ripping a triple to right field to put the Blazers ahead 1-0.  An RBI ground out by Roche extended the lead to 2-0.

MCLA answered in the third inning with a rally in the top of the third inning.  Senior second baseman Anthony Russo (Marcy, NY) drew a one out walk.  He would then steal second base and advance to third on a base hit by sophomore shortstop John Ripepi (Amsterdam, NY).  With two outs in the inning, the Trailblazers plated their first run of the game on a base hit by sophomore third baseman Paul Procopio (Pittsfield, MA).

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning MCLA put together their second rally in three innings.  With two outs in the frame Ripepi singled to right field, and stole second base.  Senior left fielder Matt Burke (Middleboro, MA) would continue the frame by drawing a walk, and Procopio would follow suit by also drawing a walk.  With the bases loaded, sophomore designated hitter Joe Parillo (West Springfield, MA) singled to right field to plate two runs, and give the Trailblazers a 3-2 lead.

Elms College would respond to their first deficit of the contest by opening up the home half of the sixth inning with three consecutive singles.  Jacobs tied the game at 3-3 on a sacrifice fly to right field.  With runners on second and third and one out Cerra hit a sacrifice fly to center field which would plate the go ahead run as the Blazers took a 4-3 lead.  An infield single by Roche put Elms College ahead for good 5-3.

In the win, Elms College freshman pitcher Craig Hippert (South Barre, MA) received his second win of the season, while senior closer Joe Esile (Milford, CT) picked up his fourth save as Elms College improved to 16-16 on the season.

In the loss, MCLA freshman starting pitcher Rick Massey (Pittsfield, MA) pitched a complete game allowing five runs on eight hits, and struck out two.

MCLA plated 13 runs over the first four innings in the first half of the double dip on route to a 15-7 win.

In the fourth inning, with the Trailblazers already ahead 5-0, MCLA plated five runs before recording an out.  The big blasts came off the bats of Parillo and junior second baseman Tim Burns (Pittsfield, MA) who each had a RBI double to increase MCLA’s lead to 8-0.  With the Trailblazers leading 10-0, Burns would pick up his second double of the inning plating three runs and putting MCLA ahead 13-0.

In the win, MCLA freshman starting pitcher Brenden Wyand (Pittsfield, MA) pitched five innings only allowing three runs on four hits while striking out two.