AMCATS Split With Suffolk University

Holden, Mass. – Anna Maria College split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader with Suffolk University today at Wachusett Regional High School. Suffolk scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Anna Maria 6-5 in game one and Dean Diamantopoulos scattered 7 hits and struck out two over seven innings en route to a 6-1 win in game two.

With the split Anna Maria's record goes to 18-12, 9-3 GNAC while Suffolk moves to 13-19-1, 7-5 GNAC on the season.

Game 1

Anna Maria tipped the scoreboard first scoring an unearned run in the first inning. The Rams evened the score in the fourth inning with a RBI single through middle the by Chris Stanley (Placentia, Cali.) scoring Jake Cintolo (Wrentham, Mass.).

The store didn't stay tied long; Anna Maria was able to plate two runs in the bottom of the inning. After Joe McNeil (Sutton, Mass.) and Pat Gilman (Leominster, Mass.) reached base sophomore Andrew Dupre (Northbridge, Mass.) delivered a fading fast single to center field for an RBI. A Justin Hyland fielder's choice scored the second run of the inning.

Anna Maria added an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth and another run on a Mike Gaurnieri (Wallingford, Conn.) double in the seventh to hold a 5-2 lead heading into the top of the seventh.

The Rams started the late inning rally loading the bases in seventh. Suffolk scored the first run of the inning on an AMCAT error then plated two runs on JC Collette (Amesbury, Mass.) double to deep centerfield to tie the game at five. Suffolk scored the go-ahead run on another AMCAT infield miscue and the 6-5 win.

Mike Masulli picked up the win in 1.1 innings of relief and Jhonneris Mendez pitched a perfect seventh inning for the save.

Game 2

Carlos Ortiz was a perfect 3-for-3 with 2 RBI's and a run score and Joe McNeil was 2-for-3 with two RBI's as the AMCATS led wire to wire in the second game of the GNAC doubleheader.

Anna Maria took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Carlos Ortiz stepped to the plate with 2 outs and runners on first and second, he drove a deep ball over the centerfielders head to score two runs for the early lead. AMC tacked on third run in the bottom of second with an RBI triple by Kevin Wodatch.

Suffolk was able to put a run on the board in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded and no outs Jake Cintolo grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, Dan Belanger scored on the play. AMC grabbed the run right back in the bottom of the inning, Carlos Ortiz singled to right center and stole second base. Joe McNeil delivered an RBI single up the middle for the 4-1 lead.

The AMCATS added two more runs in the home half of the fifth inning on RBI's by Jeff Scafidi and Joe McNeil to hold a commanding 6-1 advantage. Anna Maria played great defense turning four double plays on the day,

Senior Dean Diamantopoulos pitched a complete game to pick up his second win of the season to even his record at 2-2.

Senior Tim Belanger pitched six innings for the RAMS allowing 6 runs on 13 hits while striking out 4 AMCATS for the loss, his record drops to 2-3.

Anna Maria returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Albertus Magnus for a GNAC doubleheader starting at Noon.