Tivnan's gem helps AMCATS earn split with WPI

AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Senior Brendan Tivnan (Worcester, Mass.) tossed a two-hit shutout during the second game of a twin-bill versus WPI to lead the Anna Maria College baseball team to a 7-0 victory at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational on Monday. The Engineers' Mitch McClune (Pembroke, Mass.) used a trio of plate appearances to help propel WPI to a 14-0 win in game one.

In game one, McClune led off in the fourth inning with a walk and would make his way around the bases to begin a seven run spurt by the Engineers. Later in the frame, the junior brought home three runs on a triple to left field.

After Alex Posch (Hopedale, Mass.) doubled to begin the seventh, McClune's single and stolen base brought home the first run in another seven-run inning for the Engineers.

The quartet of McClune, Matt Blakeman (Bedford, N.H.), John Flynn (Albion, Maine) andDaniel Thomas (Manchester, N.H.) each registered two hits each with seven of the eight hits occurring in the fourth or seventh inning.

Sean Minor (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) (1-0) struck out eight while only allowing three hits for the win. Minor combined with Brandon Boucher (Manchester, N.H.) and Paul Finn(Winthrop, Mass.) for the shutout.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Anna Maria's Brendon Tivnan (Worcester, MA) (1-0) held the Engineers to a pair of hits in an 82-pitch masterpiece. The senior gave up a walk and only had to throw from the stretch twice.

Thomas recorded a hit in the fifth inning, but was thrown out as he tried for second base. McClune singled up the middle in the seventh only to be stopped at second on a fielder's choice.

Eric Johnson (Rutland, MA) (0-1) shouldered the loss as he went 4 2/3 and struck out six, while allowing six runs – 3 unearned – on the afternoon.

Release Courtesy of WPI Athletics