Baseball Goes 6-4 in Florida

Spring Break Trip Recap

The MCLA Baseball team returned from Winter Haven, FL sporting a 6-4 record after the week long trip. MCLA traveled to the former spring training home of the Cleveland Indians for the ten game trip. The Trailblazers used a solid offensive attack in the beginning of the trip, while the pitching staff grew stronger as the week went on.

MCLA opened its 2009 season facing Little East foe UMass-Boston in a doubleheader. The bats came out smoking as MCLA posted 26 runs during the doubleheader sweep. Senior Derek Gibbons (Rochester, MA) went 4-5 with 4 RBI’s and 4 runs scored in the opening 17-7 victory. Gibbons offensive effort made a winner out of Junior starter James Greeley (Newton, MA). In the nightcap, first-year Daniel Gaines (Holyoke, MA) made his debut on the mound. Gaines responded with five solid innings of work to pick up his first collegiate victory by a 9-5 score. Outfielder Rick Massey (Cheshire, MA) had a solid day for the trailblazers posting five hits and swiping three bases.

The Trailblazers battled McDaniel College (MD) in another doubleheader the following day. MCLA would win the opener by a 12-9 count, while dropping the back end 11-8. In the opener, fist-year reliever Brenden Wyand (Pittsfield, MA) threw four innings of one hit relief to earn his first career victory. The offensive firepower was provided by senior Anthony Russo’s (Marcy, NY) grand slam. It was his first home run of his career. Senior Cory Burtman (Norwood, MA) also homered for MCLA. Senior pitcher Andrew Gaines (Holyoke, MA) struck out the side to record the save. In the nightcap, McDaniel used a six-run outburst to hold off a stubborn MCLA comeback bid. Despite suffering its first loss of the season, the MCLA nine were off to a 3-1 start.

Following back to back doubleheaders, MCLA would battle Clarkson on Sunday. The Liberty League power would hold the lead for much of the game, until MCLA rallied for a 7-5 win. Andrew Gaines was the pitcher of record going 7 quality innings. Junior Andrew Kelly (Dalton, MA) threw the final two frames to record the save. MCLA trailed the entire game until the MCLA bench provided a spark. Massey came off the bench to steal a key base and score the tying run. With runners on second and third, junior Tim Burns’ (Pittsfield, MA) pinch-hit two run single gave MCLA a lead they would not relinquish. A key double play in the ninth stalled any potential comeback bid from Clarkson.

After a day off, MCLA returned to the diamond to face Sewanee (TN). First-year Daniel Gaines was once again solid throwing seven innings and allowing only one run. Sewanee battled back against the MCLA bullpen, however could only close the gap to two runs before eventually falling 9-6. First-year Evan Frank (Schenectady, NY) provided a key RBI single in the ninth to put the game away for the Trailblazers.

Standing at 5-1, the Trailblazers would battle perennial NCAA participant Messiah in a tight well played ballgame. Both teams played great defense and had great performances on the mound. MCLA would prevail by a 3-2 score behind eight strong innings from Greeley. The junior only allowed one and also pitched out of a tight eighth inning jam. Kelly pitched the ninth to record his second save of the trip. Senior Steve Sullivan (Wareham, MA) provided the key hit for the MCLA attack providing a two run single. The Trailblazers also received a great defensive performance from senior second basemen Anthony Russo.

The team would go on to play Farleigh Dickinson- Florham (NJ) in a doubleheader on Thursday. The bats went quiet due to a strong pitching performance from FDU. MCLA put the tying runs on base in the seventh, however a game ending double play turned back the Trailblazers by a 3-1 score. FDU would complete the sweep of MCLA rallying for a 9-4 victory in the nightcap. MCLA led going into the top of the seventh 4-3 only to have some defensive miscues lead to a six run outburst. Seniors Cory Burtman and Cyrus Curtis (Bourne, MA) both pitched well in defeat for MCLA.

MCLA would close out the week long stay with a game against NESCAC power Amherst College. MCLA kept the lead for most of the day before succumbing to Amherst 8-6. Senior right hander Andrew Gaines was solid on the day posting eight strikeouts in seven innings of work. Steve Sullivan provided the offensive punch with two hits and two RBI. MCLA led going into the bottom of the seventh by a score of 6-5. Once again some defensive miscues led to three unearned runs and ultimately the final score.

MCLA finished the trip with a 6-4 record playing ten games in eight days. Gibbons batted .500 on the trip while sophomores Joe Parillo (West Springfield, MA) and Joe Harrington (Pittsfield, MA) posted averages over .400. Daniel Gaines earned MASCAC Pitcher of the Week honors by posting a 2-0 record with a 1.50 ERA. Andrew Kelly earned a victory and two saves on the trip as well. MCLA returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Southern Vermont for a 3:00pm start. The Trailblazers will open conference play this weekend when they travel to Framingham State College.