Baseball Splits to Open GNAC Play
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New England Col. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 |
|
Mitchell | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New England Col. | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
|
Mitchell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 18 | 0 |
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College baseball team split its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opening doubleheader, dropping game one to New England College, 5–1, before routing the Pilgrims, 12–2, in seven innings.
The Mariners (7–6, 1–1 GNAC) return to the diamond at home on Sunday, March 22, when they host Saint Joseph's College (ME) in a conference doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Game 1 – New England College 5, Mitchell 1
New England College struck early with a run in the first inning and added to its lead with single runs in the fourth and sixth before putting the game away with a two-run seventh.
Mitchell broke through in the fifth inning when sophomore Braiden Alaimo (Enfield, Conn.) drove in a run with a groundout, scoring junior Michael Ficocelli (North Providence, R.I.) to cut the deficit to 2–1.
The Mariners were limited to four hits in the contest. Ficocelli led the offense with a double and a run scored, while senior Nicholas Bracale (East Haven, Conn.) reached base three times with a hit and two walks.
On the mound, senior Thai-ler Sestokas (Danbury, Conn.) took the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) over 5.2 innings while striking out five. Junior Ethan Chavez (New London, Conn.) worked the final 1.1 innings in relief.
New England College's Christopher Chagnon earned the complete-game victory, allowing one run on four hits.
Game 2 – Mitchell 12, New England College 2 (7 inn.)
After surrendering two runs in the top of the first inning, the Mariners responded immediately when junior Chas Terni Jr. (Montville, Conn.) delivered an RBI single in the bottom half. Mitchell took the lead for good in the fourth, as junior Ryan Dennis (Ellington, Conn.) drove in a run and senior Nicholas Bracale (East Haven, Conn.) added a sacrifice bunt to make it 3–2.
The Mariners broke the game open in the sixth inning, plating eight runs to put the contest out of reach. The rally was highlighted by a two-run triple from junior Christopher Piscione (Cranston, R.I.), along with RBI contributions from Dennis, Johnny Brucato (Cheshire, Conn.), Kenneth Miller Jr. (New London, Conn.), and Adam Vartanian (Cumberland, R.I.).
Mitchell finished with 18 hits, with Vartanian and Terni Jr. each collecting three. Dennis added two hits and two RBI, while Piscione drove in a pair.
On the mound, freshman Andrew Manzo (North Haven, Conn.) earned the win, allowing two runs on three hits over 6.0 innings while striking out six. Junior Ethan Nichols (Alderville First Nation, Canada) worked a scoreless seventh inning in relief.
