Marchesseault’s Shutout Advances JWU in GNAC Baseball Tournament
JWU avoided elimination against Albertus Magnus on Thursday evening, as the two teams finally completed their first-round game originally set for Tuesday.
FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications
WORCESTER, Mass. – It took three days and two fields, but the Johnson & Wales University baseball team finally advanced in the GNAC Tournament. Senior pitcherJake Marchesseault threw a six-hit shutout to lift the Wildcats to a 7-0 win over Albertus Magnus on Thursday.
Records:
Albertus Magnus: 13-21
Johnson & Wales: 24-14
JWU Statistical Leaders:
Lou Umberto: 3-5, 1 Run, 1 RBI
Tom Elkow: 3-3, 1 Run, 1 RBI
Ty Karalis: 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 Run
Of Note:
The game was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday and was stopped in the bottom of the third inning due to heavy rain on Wednesday. The two teams resumed play on Thursday at Clark University's Graham Field.
JWU moves on to play at St. Joseph's (ME) on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the first round of the double elimination portion of the tournament. The Wildcats dropped both regular season games to the Monks.
In perhaps his last start as a Wildcat, Marchesseault (Wyoming, RI) had his best outing of the season. He only allowed one runner to reach third base – a triple by Dean Gullo with two outs in the fifth – as he improved to 5-1. Marchesseault struck out five batters while throwing 138 pitches.
Johnson & Wales got all the offense Marchesseault would need in the fourth on only two hits. AMC starter Christopher Rivera walked three batters during the frame, including Rob Ballinger (South Kington, RI) with the bases loaded to score Frank D'Amato (Lincoln, RI). Rivera took the loss as he gave up five runs on six hits.
The Wildcats made several defensive plays to preserve the shutout. With runners on first and second, Marchesseault picked off Robert Perazella at third then got Mike Browne diving back into first base. Shortstop Lou Umberto followed with a running throw to get Tyriq Harris. Right fielder Carlos Sanabria made a running over the shoulder catch in the sixth and second baseman Jordan Pilarski charged a ground ball to throw out Steven Lockman in the seventh.
Umberto (Cranston, RI) was one of four Wildcats to pick up multiple hits. He went 3-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Tom Elkow (Morganville, NJ) was 3-for-3. Catcher Ty Karalis (Seekonk, Mass.) and first baseman Dave Matthews (Newtown, Conn.) each had a pair of hits.
Ted Gravel and Robert Perazella had two-thirds of the Falcons hits as they each picked up a pair of singles.
First Round - Tuesday, May 3 (single elimination)
Game 1: #3 Lasell 10, #6 Rivier 4 | BOX
First Round - Thursday, May 5 (single elimination)
Game 2: #4 Johnson & Wales 7, #5 Albertus Magnus 0 | BOX
Second Round - Thursday, May 5 (double-elim begins)
Game 3: #2 Suffolk 7, #3 Lasell 4 | BOX
Second Round - Friday, May 6
Game 4: #4 Johnson & Wales at #1 Saint Joseph's Maine - 3:30 PM
Semifinals - Saturday, May 7 (Hosted by Johnson & Wales)
Game 5: #3 Lasell vs. Game 4 loser (elim game) - 10:00 AM
Game 6: #2 Suffolk vs Game 4 winner - 1:30 PM
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 loser (elim game) - 5:00 PM
Championship - Sunday, May 8 (Hosted by Johnson & Wales)
Game 8: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner - 12:00 PM
Game 9: if necessary - First pitch 30 mins after completion of Game 8