Trailblazers Fall in One Run Affair at Springfield College

(Courtesy of Springfield College Sports Information)

Springfield, Mass.-April 29, 2015- The Springfield College baseball team picked up the 5-4 victory on Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference match-up versus MCLA at Berry-Allen Field.

The Pride move to 8-24 on the season, and will return to play on Saturday May 2nd as it will host Amherst in a non-conference double header.  First pitch is slated for 12:00pm.

Freshman Mark Joao (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) led the bottom of the first off with a single to second to set the pace for the Pride.  After a wild pitch, Joao was pushed to third from a grounded out by Shane O'Leary (Kings Park, N.Y.) and came around to score off a CJ Monroe (Wolcott, Conn.)single to right.

MCLA responded with a run of its own in the second after a leadoff double to center from Chase Preite.  A routine fly would move Preite to third to set up the RBI single from Ryan Grande. 

The score would remain even at 1-1 until the bottom of the third when MCLA connected for two runs on three hits.  Mike Sullivan singled to right to start off the inning, and a fielding error put two on for Rory Slattery.  The senior dropped down a bunt and was called safe at first on the fielder's choice advancing Benoit to second while Sullivan was punched out at third.  Preite knocked a single to center to load the bases for Grande who would provide the big blow of the inning.   The freshman singled to right to score both Slattery and Benoit to put the score at 3-1 in MCLA's favor. 

The Pride retaliated with two runs in the bottom of the frame after Corey Wilcox (Montville, Conn.) roped an RBI single to right center and Joao trotted home due to a hit batsman.  The score would remain at 3-3 until the fifth.

Tyler Benoit would be the Trailblazer's fourth run of the game after the senior stepped on the plate when Ryan Shook knocked the ball into play for the fielder's choice.

Springfield notched what would be the tying and go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth.  Shane O'Leary (Kings Park, N.Y.) roped a single to start the inning, followed by a rocket to right center from Monroe who motored his way to third base for the RBI triple.  The next batter, Keith Cotnoir (Westhampton, Mass.), flied out to left, allowing Monroe to score on the play to put the score at 5-4.

Robert Jutras pitched six innings was tagged for seven hits for five runs while collecting the loss. 

Tyler Kelly (Absecon, N.J.) pitched seven innings in the win as he dished out nine hits for four runs, and struck out three batters.  Kenny Manero (Hudson, Mass.) pitched an inning of relief, while Matt Butrym (Schenectady, N.Y.) collected his fourth save of the season.

Monroe led the offensive surge with two hits, two runs batted and a run scored.  JP Peters (Guilford, Conn.) chipped in with two hits.