Graynor's Walk-Off Homer Clips SVC
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Southern Vt. | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 2 |
|
Mitchell | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Senior Ethan Graynor hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Mitchell College baseball team its third walk-off win of the weekend over Southern Vermont College, 6-5, on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field.
The Mariners trailed 5-3 heading into their final at bat, but freshman Rafael Garcia led off with a double to start the rally. He then scored on a single to right-center field by classmate Evan Peck, and two batters later Graynor ended the game with an opposite field blast over the right field fence. It was his first home run of the season and fourth of his career.
The home run also gave Graynor his first win on the mound this season. The right-hander threw 1.0 inning of relief and struck out two batters. Dustyn Marfyak suffered the loss for the Mountaineers and dropped to 0-5 on the season. Max Ginter tossed 7.0 strong innings of relief and was in line for the win before taking the no decision.
Southern Vermont got off to a quick start, stringing together three consecutive hits to start the second inning. Dillon Desiderato led off with a single through the left side and moved to third on a ground rule double by Cody LaBadia. Sal Sciara followed with a single to center to plate one run, and the Mountaineers added a second due to a Mitchell fielding error on a grounder by Chris Nicastro. The Mariners escaped further damage thanks to a nice defensive play by senior Tommy Derosier at second base and a pick-off by freshman pitcher Mike Grofsick.
Mitchell evened the score with two runs in the bottom of the second. Graynor led off with a walk and later scored on a two-out double by freshman Drew Doyle. Derosier then laid down a bunt single to score Doyle from third base, picking up his team-leading 23rd RBI of the season.
The Mountaineers threatened again in the fifth but ultimately came up empty. Southern Vermont loaded the bases with no outs, but Grofsick got a shallow fly ball to left for the first out before the Mariners turned a double play to get out of the jam.
Mitchell scratched across a run in the sixth to take its first lead. Junior Will Charkowsky led off with a double to deep center and advanced to third base on a ground out by Graynor. After Ginter picked up an out via strikeout and senior Joseph Patikowski walked, Doyle delivered a two-out single through the left side of the infield to score the run.
Southern Vermont pulled ahead 5-3 behind a three-run seventh inning. Nicastro led off the frame with a double to center and later scored from third on a two-out single by Rob Murawski. Grofsick then walked back-to-back batters to load the bases before Pat Warrington knocked him out of the game with a two-run single to center.
Garcia and Doyle had three hits apiece as the Mariners finished with 12 for the game. LaBadia and Sciara led the Mountaineers at the plate with two hits each.
Both teams were playing in the final game of their respective seasons. Mitchell ended the year with an overall record of 10-18 and 9-9 in NECC play. Southern Vermont finished with a record of 9-31 and 5-13 in conference action.
Prior to the game, the Mariners honored Derosier, Graynor and Patikowski in a special senior day ceremony. Derosier was a two-year starter and letterwinner for the Mariners who played in 53 career games. Graynor, an NECC All-Conference First Team selection in 2010, played in 74 career games and was a three-year letterwinner and starter. Patikowski was the only four-year letterwinner on the squad and played in 25 career games.
