New Hampshire Hardball

New England College drops opener

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England College baseball team fell in its season opener at Emerson College in non-conference action on Tuesday afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough, Massachusetts.

THE BASICS
Score: Emerson College 5, New England College 2
Records: Pilgrims 0-1 | Lions 1-0

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Junior right-hander Austin Hazzard (Weare, N.H.) got the opening-day nod for the Pilgrims and worked around a pair of walks and an infield single in the first inning, striking out three to get out of the jam unscathed.
  • In the top of the third, graduate infielder Bryce Worth (Southington, Conn.) reached base on an infield single with one out. After stealing second, Worth would score the game’s first run on a double to left field by senior infielder Brett Patnode (Weare, N.H.). However, following an error to kick off the bottom half of the inning, Emerson took a 2-1 lead on a two-run home run by junior infielder Briggs Loveland (Burleson, Tex.).
  • Entering the sixth inning, NEC turned to its bullpen. A leadoff walk followed by an RBI double by infielder Chris Ferara (Coral Springs, Fla.) would quickly give the Lions a 3-1 lead. After Ferara advanced to third on a groundout, he scored on a balk to make it a 4-1 game. The inning ended when graduate catcher Aaron Robertson (Weare, N.H.) threw out his second baserunner of the day.
  • In the seventh inning, Worth would brought the Pilgrims to within two on solo home run to left field. Patnode and senior infielder Johnny Cannavo (Weymouth, Mass.) both reached base with two outs in the inning, but Emerson got out of it with a two-run lead.
  • Emerson added one more run in the bottom of the seventh on a fielding error by NEC, going up 5-2, a score that would hold for the remainder of the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

  • Hazzard put together a strong outing, striking out nine across five innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while taking the tough-luck loss. Junior right-handed pitcher Corey O’Day (Nashua, N.H.) pitched three innings out of the bullpen allowing two earned runs.
  • Senior Chris Lowe (Chatham, N.J.) started and earned the win for the Lions, going six quality innings with seven strikeouts and one earned run. Aidan Rice (Columbus, Ohio) pitched three innings of relief to secure the save.
  • Patnode went 4-for-5 at the plate for the Pilgrims, with a double and an RBI. Worth went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, scoring both of NEC’s runs. Robertson added two hits in addition to throwing out two Lions on the base paths.
  • The Pilgrims out-hit Emerson 10-7, but missed opportunities hurt NEC with 12 runners left on base to Emerson’s six.

UP NEXT 

  • NEC is back at the ballpark on Friday when they travel to UMass-Boston for a 2:30 PM matchup against the Beacons.
  • Emerson plays their next game at 2:30 PM on Thursday as they host fellow GNAC school Lasell University.

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