Baseball Readies for Spring Break Games in Florida

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College baseball program heads down south for spring break, which sees the Warriors play seven games over a seven-day span, beginning against Bloomfield College at 10:30 a.m. at the Santaluces Athletic Complex in Lantana, Fla. The Warriors will return to Santaluces for two games against Southern Connecticut (March 11, March 16) as well as contests against Caldwell University (March 13) and Adelphi (March 15). Merrimack will also play the Panthers on Thursday, March 14, at Lynn University's baseball field for an 11 a.m. first pitch, while playing Barry University on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m.

With the exception of Barry (6 p.m. first pitch), every start time for the Warriors ranges from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Bloomfield (10:30 a.m.), Southern Connecticut (11 a.m.), Barry (6 p.m.), Caldwell (2 p.m.), Adelphi (11 a.m.), Adelphi (2 p.m.) and Southern Connecticut (11 a.m.)

Five Things to Know:

• Merrimack split a doubleheader last Sunday, March 3rd against No. 9 Southern New Hampshire University. After sophomore Timmy Kalantzakos worked into the seventh inning of the opener, allowing just one run, the Warriors were three out shy of getting the righty the victory before the Penmen scored three runs in the top of the ninth to move ahead, 4-3. Senior Matthew Ronai led a Merrimack rally, however, driving in the game-tying run in the bottom half to force extra frame. The score stayed the same until the 13th inning where the Warriors put the nail in the coffin; sophomore Thomas Crawley doubled to score junior Nick Shumski to give Merrimack the win.

• Game two saw junior Joey Porricelli hit his first home run of the year to headline Merrimack's effort. The Penmen outlasted the Warriors, however, 8-4. Starting this game for Merrimack was freshmen Sean Thompson who pitched three innings allowing five runs.

• Ronai leads the squad offensively so far this season. The upperclassmen has started all six games for the Warriors and currently leads the team in batting average and hits. Ronai stayed hot this past weekend going 4-of-8 at the plate while adding one RBI.

• Over the weekend, the Warriors saw a pair of senior relievers deliver impressive efforts. Senior Cam Monagle threw three innings of shutout relief to send the Warriors' series opener against the Penmen to extras. Classmate Riley Sorenson registered the win in the 13-inning game, tossing 4.1 innings of perfect relief

• Among the starters, Kalantzakos lowered his ERA to 4.15 to lead the group. Sophomore Vin Zappulla has compiled a 4.76 ERA over two starters, striking out six batters over a team-leading 11.1 innings of work

Scouting the Opposition:

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Up Next:
Merrimack returns to the region follow its game on Saturday, March 16, against Southern Connecticut. The Warriors' next game after spring break will be on Wednesday, March 20, at American International. The non-conference first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.

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