| Matchup |
Merrimack (21-13, 10-2 Div.) at
Bentley (14-18, 8-4 Div.) / St. Anselm (6-26, 1-10 Div.) |
| Dates//Times |
Wed., April 24, 3:30 pm | Thurs., April 25, 3:30 pm |
| Venue (Wed.) |
DeFelice Field | Waltham Mass. |
| Venue (Thu.) |
Sullivan Park | Manchester, N.H. |
| Gameday Links |
Live Stats (Wed.) | (Thurs.) / Watch / Twitter / Instagram |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College baseball program has an opportunity to sweep a pair of Northeast Division series this week when the Warriors visit Bentley University on Wednesday and Saint Anselm on Thursday for single games beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Warriors won the first two divisional contests of the season against both the Falcons and Hawks, and have already secured the series victories against their Northeast rivals.
Wednesday's game will be at DeFelice Field on the Falcons' campus, but Merrimack will serve as the "home" team and bat second in the game. Thursday will be a true road game for the Warriors at Saint Anselm at Sullivan Park in Manchester, N.H. Additionally, the tilt against the Hawks was set to be played Friday, but inclement weather expected that day forced a rescheduling to Thursday afternoon.
Five Things to Know:
- The Warriors sit on top of the Northeast Division standings – the latest into a regular season the program has been in first since the divisional format began in 2012 – with just nine games left in the regular season. Merrimack owns a one-game lead over nationally ranked SNHU for the top spot while they are four games clear of fifth-place Assumption. The top-four programs at seasons end will reach the NE10 Championship
- Winners of 9 of its last 10 and 13 of 16 overall, Merrimack's recent torrid run has seen the Warriors climb towards the top of many conference statistics. Merrimack boasts the fifth most potent lineup in terms of batting average (.271), ranks fourth overall in earned run average (3.81) and sits atop the league rankings in fielding percentage (.971)
- Individually, senior Matthew Ronai made headlines yesterday by becoming the sixth player in school history to total 200 career hits. The utility player has started as a corner outfielder most of this season, and enjoyed a three-hit day including a two-run double to reach the 200-hit plateau. Ronai ranks among the top five on the team in most offensive statistics, including a team lead in doubles (12), which also ranks in a tie for fourth in the NE10
- Ronai hits cleanup in what has become an impressive top-four hitters in Merrimack's order. Juniors Joey Porricelli, Nick Shumski and Thomas Joyce have typically hit No. 1-3 in the Warriors' order, with Porricelli and Shumski occupying the top-two spots in every game this season. Porricelli leads both Merrimack and the NE10 in runs scored (39), steals (28) and triples (5), while ranking second in total bases (78). Shumski's driven in the second-most runs on the squad (28), while ranking second to Porricelli league-wide in triples (4). Joyce's career season includes leading the team in average (.341), on-base percentage (.449) and RBI (31)
- On the hill, the quartet of seniors Cam Monagle and Riley Sorenson as well as sophomores Timmy Kalantzakos and Vin Zappulla have formed a formidable foursome. Monagle ranks second nationwide in ERA (1.13), allowing three earned runs over his last 31 innings of work while Sorenson leads the team in saves (4), and most recently threw his first-ever complete-game shutout in beat Saint Michael's. Kalantzakos' six wins this season are already the most for a Merrimack hurler in three years, while he leads the team in innings (61.0) and strikeouts (50). Zappulla has nearly mirrored his classmate, boasting a 5-1 record over 58.0 innings 46 punch outs
Scouting the Opposition (Bentley):
| Merrimack (21-13, 10-2 NE Div.) |
Stat Category |
Bentley (14-18, 8-4 NE Div.) |
| .272 |
Batting Average |
.260 |
| .359 |
On-Base Percentage |
.336 |
| .380 |
Slugging Percentage |
.378 |
| 3.84 |
Team ERA |
5.33 |
| 246 |
Team Strikeouts |
231 |
| 77 |
Total Stolen Bases |
25 |
| .971 |
Team Fielding Percentage |
.961 |
| Thomas Joyce (.341) |
Batting Average Leader |
Max Troiani (.336) |
| Porricelli (5) |
Home Runs Leader |
Luke Figueira (8) |
| Joyce (31) |
RBI Leader |
Brandon Grover (29) |
| Cam Monagle (1.13) |
ERA Leader (Individual) |
Evan Christopulos (3.76) |
| Timmy Kalantzakos (50) |
Strikeouts Leader |
Will Rossiter (36) |
Scouting the Opposition (Saint Anselm):
| Merrimack (21-13, 10-2 NE Div.) |
Stat Category |
Saint Anselm (6-26, 1-10 NE Div.) |
| .272 |
Batting Average |
.217 |
| .359 |
On-Base Percentage |
.337 |
| .380 |
Slugging Percentage |
.296 |
| 3.84 |
Team ERA |
6.60 |
| 246 |
Team Strikeouts |
205 |
| 77 |
Total Stolen Bases |
39 |
| .971 |
Team Fielding Percentage |
.946 |
| Thomas Joyce (.341) |
Batting Average Leader |
Matt Collins (.282) |
| Porricelli (5) |
Home Runs Leader |
Three Tied (2) |
| Joyce (31) |
RBI Leader |
Enzo Merlonghi (13) |
| Cam Monagle (1.13) |
ERA Leader (Individual) |
Preston Yerrington (2.42) |
| Timmy Kalantzakos (50) |
Strikeouts Leader |
Will Conaton (31) |
Up Next:
The Warriors host Franklin Pierce this weekend for a three-game series at Trinity Stadium in Haverhill, Mass., beginning on Saturday afternoon with a day-night doubleheader set to begin at 2 p.m. Merrimack returns to Trinity on Sunday (12 p.m.) where it celebrates Senior Day against the Ravens. Seniors
Daniel Amidon,
Trevor Cooley,
Anthony Garbarino,
Billy Keegan, Monagle, Ronai, Sorenson and
Cory Wasylow will be honored during the festivities.
