Strong pitching sparks AMCATS to sweep of Leopards

PAXTON, Mass. (04.16.11) – The Anna Maria College baseball team received terrific performances from starters Jim McNamara (Worcester, Mass.) and Zach Rafferty (Worcester, Mass.) en route to a sweep of the Wentworth Institute of Technology at Rocheleau Field on Saturday afternoon. The pair of victories improve the AMCATS to 20-12 (13-7 TCCC) on the season, while the Leopards fall to 17-9 (10-4 TCCC).

McNamara delivered one of his best performances of the season in game one, allowing just three hits and one run while going the distance for his fourth win of the year. Rafferty followed with an equally impressive start, striking out 10 batters while allowing just one run over six strong innings, evening his record to 3-3 on the season. Offensively, the AMCATS were paced by sophomore Mike Guarnieri (Wallingford, Conn.) who led all players with four hits and three runs scored on the day. Senior mike Galvin (Rutland, Mass.) also played well, going 3-for-7 in the double-dip, while junior Jeff Scafidi (Worcester, Mass.) had two RBI's and two runs scored.

Junior Conner Flisnik (Marcy, N.Y.) stood out for the Leopards, leading all players with three runs batted while going 2-for-6 in the twin-bill. Senior Matt Jordan (Concord, N.H.) and sophomore Ryan Delgado (Wareham, Mass.) also chipped in with two hits apiece, while senior Doug Papuga (Branford, Conn.) took the tough-luck loss on the mound in game one, surrendering two earned runs over six innings of work.

Game one featured an exciting pitcher's duel between AMC's Jim McNamara and WIT's Doug Papuga.

The AMCATS jumped on the board first with a run in the second inning. McNamara and senior Jeff Kodys (Holden, Mass.) got things started with back-to-back singles to open the frame before sophomore Justin Hyland (Spencer, Mass.) moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. Freshman John Sullivan (Southbury, Conn.) then delivered an RBI-single through the left side to give Anna Maria the 1-0 lead.

The AMCATS struck again in the third, adding one run on two hits. Galvin beat out an infield single to deep short and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by senior Andy Fallon (Worcester, Mass.). Scafidi then brought home the run with an RBI-double down the left field line to expand the AMC lead to 2-0.

That was all the support that McNamara needed, allowing just one run on a fielder's choice that knocked in Jordan who had reached on a double. The AMC left sealed the 2-1 win by not allowing a single hit over the final three innings.

In game two, the AMCATS jumped out to a 7-0 advantage, scoring two runs in the first, two runs in the third, and three more in the fifth. Guarnieri delivered a run scoring from Guarnieri in the first, an RBI double by Kodys in the third, and a two-run double down the right field line by shortstop Carlos Ortiz (Worcester, Mass.) in the fifth to help build the lead.

Zach Rafferty held the Leopards at bay over the first, allowing just one run while striking out 10 batters. Wentworth would rally for four runs in the top of the seventh, including a two-run single by Flisnik, before the AMCATS completed the 9-4 victory.

Both clubs return to conference action with doubleheaders on Sunday, as the Leopards  travel to face Nichols at 1:00 pm, and the AMCATS host Salve Regina at noon.

Photo Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information