Trailblazers Lose Despite Parillo's Three Homers

MCLA’s Joe Parillo (West Springfield, MA) clubbed three home runs on the day but it wasn’t enough as the Trailblazers fell to Westfield State 21-6, 9-8 in a doubleheader sweep.

The Owls – ranked No. 3 in this week’s NCAA New England Region poll - boosted their record to 25-7 overall and ran their win streak to nine straight.

Also, Westfield remains in sole possession of first place in the MASCAC with a 10-2 record. MCLA dropped to 8-20 and 1-11.

After coasting to its first-game victory, the Owls had to hold on for a tense 9-8 victory in the nightcap. Westfield again allowed three first-inning runs but it scored three runs in the first and six in the second to take a 9-4 lead. But the Owls were held scoreless the rest of the game while the scrappy Trailblazers chipped away at the lead.

MCLA scored two in the third and single runs in the fourth and six frames to cut the lead to a run, 9-8. Tim Burns (Pittsfield, MA) delivered a two-out RBI single in the sixth inning but MCLA stranded runners at second and third when Evan Frank (Schenectady, NY) truck out swinging.

In MCLA’s final at bat, John Ripepi (Amsterdam, NY) rapped a one-out single and Eddie George (Falls Church, VA) reached safely on a bunt hit when first baseman Ben Campbell fielded the bunt and tossed the ball to an unattended first base.

With Ripepi running to third on the errant toss, Campbell quickly picked up the ball and fired it across the diamond, throwing out Ripepi at third on a controversial call for out No. 2.

George stole second on the next pitch and Westfield intentionally walked the dangerous Parillo, who already had blasted three home runs in the doubleheader.

With runners at first and second, Westfield closer Phil Towne then struck out another dangerous hitter – Osiris Mendez (Queens, NY)  – on an 0-2 slider as the Owls held on for the victory.

Westfield was out-hit, 13-11. Senior Jeff Fields (Pittsfield) was 3-for-3 with an RBI for the Owls. Campbell was 2 for 4 with two RBI and Jeff Ackerman tripled.

Parillo, entered the game with no home runs this season, slammed two solo shots in the first game and blasted a three-run roundtripper in the first inning of the second game. He was 3 for 4 in the nightcap.

Ripepi was 3 for 4 with an RBI and Mike Meaney (North Adams, MA) was 2 for 3.

Matt McDougall, the second of four Westfield pitchers, was credited with the victory.

In the opener, the Owls belted 22 hits in coasting to their 21-6 victory. MCLA scored three runs in its first at bat and led 5-3 when the Owls crossed the plate five times in the bottom of the third, including two bases loaded walks.

Sophomore third baseman Matt Kelly led the Owls at the plate, going 4 for 5 with a homer and five RBI. Mike Trachtenberg was 2 for 3 with four RBI and Ackerman was 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI.

Campbell was 4 for 5 with a double and an RBI and Fields was 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Mendez paced MCLA’s 12-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with a triple and an RBI. Parillo was 2 for 4 with his two home runs, both solo shots.

Sean Keane was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Bret Siflinger. He threw the final four innings, allowing five hits and one walk.

MCLA will wrap up the season at Salem State on Saturday at 1:00 PM.