SCAFIDI Sets HR Mark in Sweep of Norwich

Holden, Mass. – Jeff Scafidi (Worcester, Mass.) drilled a fastball to deep left centerfield over the 346 ft. fence at Wachusett Regional for his 14^th career home run setting the AMCAT All-Time HR record as Anna Maria swept a doubleheader from visiting Norwich University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference baseball action on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Anna Maria took game one 12-2 behind a strong 6 inning pitching performance by Justin Hyland (Spencer, Mass.) and game two by a score of 11-3. With the wins Anna Maria improves their GNAC record to 8-2 and overall record to 17-11. The Cadets drop to 1-9 GNAC and 4-26 on the season.

On the historical day, Scafidi went 4-for-7 on the day with 2 home runs, a triple, 5 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Carlos Ortiz finished the day going 5-for-7 with a double, a triple, 2 stolen bases, 5 RBI's and 4 runs scored and Joe McNeil also produced big numbers going 4-for-7 with a double, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored and a stolen base.

GAME 1

In game one the AMCATS pounded out 12 hits for 12 runs, shortstop Carlos Ortiz (Worcester, Mass.) led the hit arsenal going 3-for-4 with a triple, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Senior Joe McNeil (Sutton, Mass.) and Padraig Gilman (Fitchburg, Mass.) each contributed 2 hits and an RBI in the win.

Norwich scored first, scoring an unearned run in the top of the first inning with a Dustin Shimkus sacrifice fly. Anna Maria took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first on a RBI triple by Mike Gaurnieri (Wallingford, Conn.) and a seeing-eye single up the middle by Ortiz.

After adding another run in the bottom of the second, the AMCATS exploded for 5 runs in the third inning after two were out. Joe McNeil picked up an RBI with a single through the left side scoring Ortiz who had tripled and Pat Gilman drove in a run with a single to right field, Anna Maria scored three more runs in the inning on two Norwich miscues to lead 8-1.

With one out in the fourth inning, Jeff Scafidi stepped to the plate and tied the all-time home run record with a four-bagger to right field.

Anna Maria, who scored runs in all 6 innings, would add a single run in the fifth and two more in the sixth for the 12-2 final.

In the home half of the 6^th inning, freshman Michael Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) pitch-hitting for John Sullivan collected his first collegiate hit and RBI with a single to left field.

Junior Justin Hyland went six innings allowing no earned runs on 4 hits. The right-hander struck out 6 on the day and improved to 4-1. Sophomore Mike Curley (Linwood, Mass.) pitched a perfect seventh inning in relief.

GAME 2

In game two, Anna Maria didn't leave much to be decided scoring 10 unanswered runs before Norwich crossed the plate in the 6^th inning. Scafidi opened up the second frame with a triple to right center and came home on an Ortiz double. Ortiz scored on a ground out by Joe McNeil for a quick 2-0 advantage.

In the third inning the AMCATS tacked on three more runs, Scafidi drew a bases loaded walk and Ortiz followed with a 2 RBI single to make the game 5-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, with two outs and sophomore Matt Nelson (Framingham, Mass.) on third base, senior Jeff Scafidi, already the leader in most AMC offensive categories, set the milestone for home runs with an absolute bomb to left centerfield.  Scafidi broke the record that was set in 2011 by then senior Jeff Lander. Anna Maria scored three more runs in the inning en route to the 11-3 final.

Freshman Lucas Davis (Spencer, Mass.) went four innings allowing no runs on three hits while striking out 3 Cadets to earn the win and even his record at 2-2.

Anna Maria returns to action on Wednesday when they host Suffolk University for a GNAC doubleheader starting at 2:00 pm at Wachusett Regional High School.