BASEBALL: JWU, Lasell Slug Their Way Through GNAC Tournament Single-Elimination Round
Lasell handled Norwich, 16-3, before JWU cranked out 27 runs (26 earned) on 24 hits against Anna Maria as the two programs advanced into the double-elimination portion of the tourney, which begins on Thursday.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior Andre Marchesseault (Cheshire, Conn.) had three hits and four RBIs and junior Brett Sherron (Howard Beach, N.Y.) hit a three-run home run as fourth-seeded Lasell College defeated fifth-seeded Norwich University, 16-3, in the first round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Tournament at Stein Field.
The Lasers pounded out 18 hits in the victory, including five for extra bases. Junior David Marsell (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) pitched seven solid innings to earn the win on the mound and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Lasell (10-19) advances to the double-elimination portion of the GNAC Tournament, and will face top-seeded Suffolk University (21-16) on Thursday, May 3, at the Rams' home field (7:00 p.m.). Norwich, which split its regular season doubleheader against Lasell, winds up the season at 7-23.
The home team took an early 2-0 lead with single runs in the first two innings, as Marchesseault hit a sacrifice fly in the first and freshmanWyatt Sihvonen (Lebanon, Conn.) delivered an RBI single in the second. Norwich came back to tie the score with two in the fourth inning as sophomore Brady Doherty (Sandwich, Mass.) tripled home a run and then scored on a single by junior Jacob Barlow (Newburyport, Mass.).
Lasell took the lead for good on an RBI single by junior Rob Cutone(Tewksbury, Mass.) in the bottom of the fourth and tacked on another unearned run in the fifth. The Lasers pulled away with three runs in the sixth, sparked by RBI singles from Marchesseault and Marsell. The hosts blew the game open with seven runs in the seventh inning, as junior Evan Michalek (Berlin, Conn.) and Marchesseault drew bases-loaded walks, freshman Harrison Silva (Lowell, Mass.) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Marsell hit a sacrifice fly, and Sherron clubbed a three-run homer to left.
Marsell worked seven innings to post the win (3-1), allowing three runs on six hits and a walk, striking out three. Sophomore Mike Tacinelli(Seymour, Conn.) and junior Brian Cohen (Rockland, Mass.) each worked an inning of scoreless relief.
Courtesy of Lasell Athletics Communications.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – There was no shortage of runs Wednesday night between the Johnson & Wales University and Anna Maria College baseball teams in the opening game of the GNAC Tournament. The Wildcats defeated the AMCATS, 27-13.
Records:
Anna Maria: 16-24
Johnston & Wales: 23-16
Statistical Leaders:
Colby Greenhalgh (JWU): 2-4, 1 R, 5 RBIs
Vin Amalfitano (JWU): 4-4, 3 R, 2 RBIs
Noah Holland (AMC): 5-5, 2 R, 3 RBIs
Of Note:
The 27 runs are the most by a JWU team in the GNAC Tournament. The 1997 edition put up 16 on Albertus Magnus during the 1997 tournament. The 27 runs are the most scored by one team in a GNAC Tournament game while the 40 combined runs trail only the 43 scored by Suffolk (22) and Saint Joseph's (21) in 2009.
Between the two teams, 13 players recorded two or more hits and crossed the plate at least twice. The AMCATS' Noah Holland had a game-high five hits. Aidan Hagarty and Vin Amalfitano scored five times and Colby Greenhalgh drove in eight runs.
Jacob Zamora's two-run double got the AMCATS out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Wildcats answered with eight in their half of the first. Greenhalgh and Tim Lombardi had two-run doubles and Amalfitano scored two with a single. JWU sent 12 batters to the plate during the first.
Anna Maria momentarily had a 9-8 lead thanks to four runs in the top of third, including a Tanner Jakola two-run single. The Wildcats pulled away with four of their own in the third and three more in the fourth. Greenhalgh had his second two-run double of the game.
Up Next:
Johnson & Wales moves on to face Saint Joseph's at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications.
First Round - Wednesday, May 2 (single elimination)
Game 1: #3 Johnson & Wales 27, #6 Anna Maria 13 | BOX
Game 2: #4 Lasell 16, #5 Norwich 3 | BOX
Second Round - Thursday, May 3 (double-elim begins)
Game 3: #3 Johnson & Wales at #2 Saint Joseph's of Maine - 4:00 PM
Game 4: #4 Lasell at #1 Suffolk - 7:00 PM
Semifinals - Saturday, May 5 (Hosted by Saint Joseph's of Maine)
Game 5: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser (elimination game) - 10:00 AM
Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner - 1:30 PM
Game 7: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (elimination game) - 5:00 PM
Championship - Sunday, May 6 (Hosted by Saint Joseph's of Maine)
Game 8: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner - 12:00 PM
Game 9: if necessary - 3:30 PM
Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.
– #TheGNAC –