Hyland's grand slam sparks AMCATS to sweep of Gordon

PAXTON, Mass. (03.19.11) – Sophomore Justin Hyland (Spencer, Mass.) smacked a game-tying grand slam in the sixth inning of game two, as the Anna Maria College baseball team went on to rally for two runs in the bottom of the ninth, completing a sweep of Gordon College during a The Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader at Gaskill Field on Saturday afternoon. Anna Maria took game one by a score of 15-2 before overcoming a one run deficit in extra innings to take game two, 7-6. The pair of victories improves the AMCATS to 7-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Scots fall to 0-6 on the year and 0-2 in TCCC-play.

Hyland had an outstanding day at the plate, going 5-for-8 with eight runs batted in and four runs scored. Senior Andy Fallon (Worcester, Mass.) and junior Jeff Scafidi (Worcester, Mass.) each went 4-for-7 on the day, while sophomore Mike Guarnieri (Wallingford, Conn.) added three hits and three runs scored for the AMCATS. Senior James McNamara (Worcester, Mass.) earned the victory in game one, allowing just three hits and two earned runs over six innings of work to improve to 2-1 on the season. Junior Dean Diamantopoulos (Shrewsbury, Mass.) was terrific out of the pen in game two, going five strong innings while surrendering just two hits and one unearned run while capturing the win and improving to 2-0.

The Scots were led by sophomore Brian Harrington (Shoreham, N.Y.) who had a team-high four hits and three runs batted in on the afternoon. Junior Eric Wolak (Trumball, Conn.) added three base knocks of his own, while sophomore Ben Davidson (Sterling, Mass.) led the Scots with three runs scored. Junior Robert Hinckley (Raynham, Mass.) fell to 0-2 with the loss in game one, while Ben Davidson took the defeat in game two by allowing two runs (one earned) over 2.2 innings.

The AMCATS came out swinging in the first game of the day, compiling 15 runs over the first three innings. Anna Maria put up an eight spot in the second, pounding out five hits as they batted around the order. The AMCATS came right back with seven more runs in the third, capped by a bases clearing triple from Hyland, as they cruised to a 15-2 victory.

It was Gordon who went on top early in game two, as the Scots built a 5-0 advantage over the first four innings of play. Gordon got things started with three runs in the opening frame, including RBI singles from both Harrington and Wolak. The Scots then added a run in the second on an RBI double by Harrington and one more in the fourth on Wolak's second run scoring single of the game.

The AMCATS trailed 5-1 in the sixth with just four outs remaining when Hyland stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and promptly launched a game-tying grand slam over the right field fence.

With the score knotted at 5-all, the two teams battled into the ninth inning. The Scots struck first in the top half of the frame, as senior Stephen Myhren (Vernon, N.J.) aggressively tagged-up from third on a short fly to right and beat the offline throw to the plate to put Gordon ahead, 6-5.

However, the AMCATS refused to go away, as Fallon started the bottom of the ninth with a double to left center, and was followed by a bunt single from Hyland and a walk by sophomore Carlos Ortiz (Worcester, Mass.) to load the bases with no outs. Galvin followed with a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Fallon and tying the game at 6-6. After a dropped foul pop gave designated hitter Jeff Lander (Gloucester, Mass.) new life, the right hander took advantage of his second chance by driving in the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly to right, completing the thrilling 7-6 come from behind victory for the AMCATS.

Anna Maria will return to action on Sunday when they travel to face Curry for a conference doubleheader starting at noon, while the Scots take to the field on Monday, hosting Eastern Nazarene in a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 pm.

Photo Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information