MCLA Holds off Elms 9-8
MCLA held off a late rally from visiting Elms College as they defeated the Blazers 9-8 this afternoon. Osiris Mendez collected a pair of hits in the victory for the Trailblazers, while Mike Bullett earned the victory.
North Adams, MA – MCLA held off a late charge from the Elms College Blazers and won a non-conference game by the score of 9-8.
MCLA jumped out early 2-0 in the bottom of the first on a two-run single by Osiris Mendez. The lead was short lived as Trailblazers starter, Mike Bullett, allowed all five of the runs he gave up in the top of the second. The Blazers loaded the bases with nobody out and scored their first run on an Anthony Pagano (Cranston, R.I.) sacrifice fly. Bullett looked like he may get out of the inning with a chopper back to the mound and runners on the corners. Bullet took the sure out at first and Elms had runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs. However, Alex King (Lebanon, CN) delivered a two-out single and Brendan Cordeiro (Berkley, MA) followed with a two-run homer to left putting Elms up 5-2.
Bullett would settle down and eventually go seven innings and pick up the victory. MCLA got two back in the third and tied it in the fifth on an RBI single to right-center by Zach Theulen. MCLA would erupt for four in the sixth of Elms pitchers Carlos Camacho (Springfield, MA) and Derek Leal (Charlton, MA). Rick Massey led off with a walk and Jon Ripepi followed with a single. Two batters later senior left-fielder Joe Parillo hit a three-run homer and the Trailblazers were up for good. MCLA would add one more in the inning to go up 9-5.
The Trailblazers went to the bullpen in the eighth with freshman Cody Weaver. Weaver had an easy eighth inning, but loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth. The Trailblazers went to Mike Meaney to relieve Weaver. Meaney walked the first batter and allowed two more inherited runs to score, but got out of the jam by striking out Donald Morse (Alfred, ME) with the tying run ninety feet away.
Bullett picked up his first win and Meaney earned the save. Camacho took the loss.
MCLA will take on Williams next and Elms takes on Fitchburg Thursday.