ANDOVER, MASS. – The Merrimack College baseball team batted with a tough Mount St. Mary's University on Friday afternoon and came out on top 8-6.
Thomas Crowley homered to left in the second inning to tie the game early on for the Warriors.
Alex Haba also homered to left in the fourth to cushion an early lead.
Scott Elliott drove home what would end up being the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh after hitting a single that scored two.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 8 Mount St. Mary's 6
Records: Merrimack (9-15-1) | Mount St. Mary's (7-17)
Location: Andover, Mass. | Greater Lawrence Tech
Rapid Recap
- In the bottom of the first, the Warriors got two batters on with two outs in the inning, but could not get anyone across home plate. The Mount took an early lead in the top half of the second inning after a fielder's choice scored one. Crowley led of the second with his first homerun of the season. Stephen Santarpia walked with two outs in the inning. He advanced to second on a passed ball and third on a wild pitch. Elliott singled him home, giving the Warriors a one-run lead. Merrimack starter Wyatt Villella left a runner stranded at first in the third. Braydon Dolbashian led of the third with a double. Bryant Skurbe then drew a free pass to put runners on first and second. Kurtis Stadnicki drew a walk which loaded the bases. Unfortunately, Merrimack could not get anyone across home plate. Villella got Mount St. Mary's to go down in order in the fourth. Haba led off the fourth with his first homerun of the season, making the lead two runs. Elliott followed up with a double to put a runner in scoring position. Michael Golankiewicz doubled home Elliott, making the advantage three.
- The Mount added five runs in the top of the fifth to flip the game and jump out to a two-run lead. Ben Nelson was hit by a pitch, but was left on first in the fifth. Golankiewicz found a gap and legged out a triple with one out in the sixth. Dolbashian then launched a sac fly, scoring the man from third. The Warriors were now down one. In the bottom of the seventh, Stadnicki singled with two outs. Andrew Selima then reached on an error and advanced on the throw, putting runners on second and third. Haba walked to load the bases. Elliott then singled home two runners putting Merrimack up one. Haba would later score on a wild pitch. Timmy Kalantzakos came in to pitch the eighth and the ninth and shut the door, earning his third save of the season.
Top Performers // Notes
- WP: Villella (2-2) | LP: Moore (0-2)
- Haba is currently on a seven-game hitting streak, which is his second highest total of the season. His .362 average is the best on the team.
- Villella had five strikeouts on the afternoon, which matches his second-best mark of the season so far.
Up Next:
Warriors will play game two of the series with the Mount Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.
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