AMC Sweeps Eastern Nazarene in Non-Conference Action

Worcester, Mass. – Anna Maria College swept a doubleheader against Eastern Nazarene College in non-conference baseball action today at Assumption College. AMC's Jeff Scafidi (Worcester, Mass.) pitched a complete game 4-0 shutout in game one while junior Justin Hyland (Spencer, Mass.) went 4-for-5 with 3 RBI's and a run scored in the 13-5 win in the nightcap.

 GAME ONE – Anna Maria 4 Eastern Nazarene 0

Junior Kevin Wodatch (Wallingford, Conn.) was 3-for-4 with a double, home run, RBI and 2 runs scored in game one and Mike Gaurnieri (Wallingford, Conn.) was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

AMC took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on Wodatch's solo home run they scored a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the 5^th inning. Gaurnieri delivered an RBI single scoring John Sullivan (Southbury, Conn.) and Wodatch scored behind him on an overthrow.

The AMCATS played outstanding defense in the win. Justin Hyland made two great back-to-back plays in the top of the 5^th, diving for a grounder bound for up the middle and on pop-up in the grass in short center field. Scafidi finished off the inning nabbing a line drive back to the mound.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth Matt Nelson (Framingham, Mass.) connected on single to right field to score Carlos Ortiz (Worcester, Mass.) who had walk earlier in the inning for the 4-0 final.

Scafidi went the distance, only allowing 2 hits and striking out five, to pick up his third win of the season.

GAME TWO – Anna Maria 13 Eastern Nazarene 5

Anna Maria belted out 13 runs on 13 hits in game two. Along with Hyland's big game Scafidi went 2-for-2 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Shortstop Ortiz was 2-for-3, 2 RBI's, 1 run scored and a stolen base while senior Joe McNeil (Sutton, Mass.) was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a RBI and two runs scored.

The AMCATS spotted ENC a run in the first inning but put up a six spot in the bottom of the second. Anna Maria capitalized on nervous defense by the Lions. With the bases loaded and three runs already in Ortiz delivered a 2-RBI single to center field and Scafidi scored on a botched play to second base to it 6-1 after two.

Justin Hyland and Scafidi each delivered RBI singles in the third. John Sullivan scored on Hyland's hit thru the left side after he walked and stole second base.  Scafidi's hit scored two, driving in Gaurnieri and Wodatch. After three the scoreboard read 9-2 AMC.

AMC tacked on a single run in the fourth ad three more in the bottom of the fifth.

Seniior Zach Rafferty (Worcester, Mass.) had a shaky start, walking an unusual 8 batters but he struck out 5, including the side in the 2nd inning and improved his record to 4-2.

After the Easter break Anna Maria returns to action on Tuesday when they travel to Fitchburg State for a single game starting at 3:30pm.