AMCATS keep rolling with sweep of Lions on Saturday

Quincy, Mass.—The Anna Maria College baseball team pounded out 27 hits which were good for 22 runs and a doubleheader sweep of The Commonwealth Coast Conference rival Eastern Nazarene on Saturday afternoon at Quincy's Adam's Field. The AMCATS improve their winning streak to six straight, and have won seven of their last eight contests to move to 15-9 on the year and 8-4 in conference play, while the Lions, in their 11^th straight loss, drop to 2-10 in conference and 5-18 overall.

Game One

Anna Maria jumped out on top early in game one scoring three runs in the first before adding two more in the second. Senior third baseman Michael Galvin led off with a single and consecutive walks by Eastern Nazarene starter Matt Jayne loaded the bases for the AMCATS. Sophomore centerfielder Mike Gaurnieri crushed the first pitch of his at bat into right centerfield to bring home both Galvin and Jeff Lander. Senior Andy Fallon followed with a groundout to second base to bring home Jeff Scafidi to put Anna Maria up, 3-0.

Eastern Nazarene responded in the bottom of the first as sophomore catcher Dave Manning singled to centerfield bringing home Dave Rivera to cut the AMCATS lead to 3-1.

In the second for Anna Maria, Lander doubled home Carlos Ortiz and later scored on a triple to rightfield by Scafidi to stretch the lead to 5-1.

The Lions plated a single run in the third on a Danny Rodriguez base hit to bring the tally to 5-2 in favor of the AMCATS.

Anna Maria put game one out of reach in the fourth as four runs crossed the plate on 7 hits to put the AMCATS ahead 9-2.

Eastern Nazarene took advantage of a leadoff error in the bottom of the fourth as freshman outfielder Max Pugh drove in Dave Rivera to cut the lead to 9-3.

A pair of insurance runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh were all Anna Maria needed as the AMCATS grabbed game one, 12-3.

Seven of the nine starters for Anna Maria had multiple hits in the game led by Scafidi who was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with three runs scored and three runs batted in. Also finishing perfect at the plate was Lander who scored three times as well and drove in a run.  

Scafidi added to his outstanding game one as the right hander picked up the win on the mound for the AMCATS allowing just two earned runs on seven hits and four walks in a complete game effort.

For the Lions' offense, Williams finished with two hits while Rodriguez had two hits and picked up an RBI.

Game Two

Anna Maria kept their bats hot in game two as back to back doubles by Guarnieri and Jim McNamara plated the game's first run. Senior catcher Jeff Kodys grounded out to bring home McNamara and gave Anna Maria a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Eastern Nazarene scored a single run on a Max Pugh sac fly to cut the deficit in half.

The AMCATS exploded once again in the top of the third scoring 6 runs on four hits capped by a three run opposite field homer by Kodys.

Eastern Nazarene went to the bullpen and brought in senior Jeremy Cook with two outs in the fourth. Cook gave the Lions time to regroup as he retired the first six hitters that he faced.

In their half of the fifth, the Lions got back into the game as Rodriguez doubled in Manning from second and Williams singled home a run. Pugh came through once again with an RBI double and Jayne grounded out to score a run to bring the score to 8-5 in favor of Anna Maria.

Luke Matthews smashed a double into the right field corner to score Dave Rivera and cut the deficit to just two runs.

Anna Maria took advantage of a defensive miscue in their half of the seventh inning to add an important insurance run and set their advantage at 9-6.

Eastern Nazarene rallied in the ninth but were only able to plate one as Anna Maria reliever Tim Henderson shut the door to seal the 9-7 AMCAT victory.

Brendon Tivnan threw five innings and allowed five earned runs in picking up the win for Anna Maria. Henderson threw an inning and two thirds of relief without allowing an earned run to grab the save.

Jared Daniels took the loss on the hill for Eastern Nazarene.

Lions' reliever Cook allowed just two hits and an unearned run while striking out five over three and a third in his most dominant performance of the season.

Guarnieri tacked on three more hits in game two as the only AMCAT with multiple hits to bring his doubleheader total to five.

Matthews and Williams each finished 3 for 4 in game two with a run scored and an RBI.

Rodriguez finished the day 4 for 8 after picking up two more hits and scoring twice in game two.

Anna Maria will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Endicott College tomorrow for a noon doubleheader. Eastern Nazarene will rest on Sunday before taking on New England College at 2:00 PM on Monday at ENC's Bradley Field.

Photo Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information

Release Courtesy of ENC Sports Information