SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Merrimack College baseball team earned a victory Thursday afternoon against Bryant University, 5-2. Braydon Dolbashian launched a two-run home run that gave the Warriors the lead and they did not look back from there. The bomb was his second of the season. Thomas Crowley had two RBI's in the victory, he also had two hits. Jake Macchi, Alex Haba, and Kurtis Stadnicki all had multiple hits for Merrimack. LT Pare hurled five scoreless innings for Merrimack in the victory, earning him the win.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 5 Bryant 2
Records: Merrimack (10-18-1) | Bryant (12-18)
Location: Smithfield, R.I. | Conaty Park
Rapid Recap
- Warrior starter Jack Collins got the Bulldogs to go down in order in the first. Dolbashian drew a free pass to lead off the second. Macchi then singled to put runners on first and second with no outs. Dolbashian then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Crowley hit a sac fly to center far enough to score the runner from third, giving Merrimack a one run lead. Th Bulldogs then respond by scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the second. Christian Gemelli singled with one down in the third. One batter later Dolbashian stepped up and hit a monster shot to left, giving the Warriors the lead. Pare entered in the third and got Bryant to go down in order. Stadnicki hit his second single of the game with one out in the fourth. Stephen Santarpia drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Haba then singled to load the bases. Gemelli grounded into a fielder's choice, but scored the runner from third, giving Merrimack a two-run advantage.
- In the top of the sixth, Haba doubled to left center, but was left on second at the end of the inning. Pare continued to roll in the sixth, allowing just one base runner on in the inning. Michael Golankiewicz singled to lead off the seventh. Dolbashian walked to put two runners on. Crowley singled to score Dolbashian and give the Warriors a much needed insurance run. Pare got the shutdown inning that he needed in the seventh, getting Bryant to go down in order. Timmy Kalantzakos entered in the eighth for the Warriors and allowed just one hit while striking out three on his way to his fourth save of the season.
Top Performers // Notes
- WP: Pare (2-0) | LP: Vanesko (1-1)
- Haba's hit streak extends to 11 games, which is the highest on the team.
- Pare's five inning appearance was the longest of his Merrimack career.
Up Next:
Warriors will play game two of the series against the Bulldogs on Friday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
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