Cougars Claw to 12-2 win over Baseball

WORCESTER, Mass.—The Anna Maria College baseball team scored solo runs in the seventh and ninth innings but were unable to overcome an already large deficit, falling to neighbor Clark University 12-2 on Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action.

The win bumps Clark to 6-7 on the season, while Anna Maria remains winless in 11 tries.

AMCAT LEADERS

Starting pitcher Matt Leahey (Rutland, Mass.) batted 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a run. Together, the AMCATS combined for seven hits and saw RBIs from catcher Jonathan Roy (Worcester, Mass.) and centerfielder Matt Elliot (Attleboro, Mass.).

PITCHING

Leahey took the loss on the mound, scattering 11 hits and 10 earned runs with four walks in four innings of work. He was relieved by Brenden Matthews (Worcester, Mass.), who gave up two runs on four hits in two innings. Daniel Chambers (Westfield, Mass.) pitched the seventh inning and Zach Parker (Manchester, N.H.) pitched the eighth—both gave up one hit and no runs.

Clark freshman Cal Slepkow was dominant in his second win of the season, scattering five hits and one run while striking out six in seven complete innings. Jeremy Brent and Dan Shaw both pitched an inning apiece, coming for two hits, one run, and two strikeouts.

AMCAT SCORING

Anna Maria soured Clark's attempt at a shutout in the top of the seventh. Leadoff batter Tanner Jakola (Leominster, Mass.) legged out an infield single and scored two batters later as Elliot tripled to right-center. With only one out the AMCATS still had two opportunities to score Elliot, but the inning concluded with back-to-back strikeouts.

Trailing 12-1 in the top of the ninth, leadoff batter Leahey singled and then advanced to second on a wild pitch, setting up Roy for the RBI single with a shot down the left field line.

CLARK LEADERS

Clark totaled 17 hits on the day, led by Michael Eglow with four in five at-bats. James Conway blasted two homeruns on the day and drove in four runs, finishing 3-for-5. Eleven different members of the Cougar squad claimed a hit in the victory.

Teddy Downing was a terror on the base paths, going 2-for-3 with three walks and three stolen bases from his leadoff spot.

CLARK SCORING

Clark started early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning in Conway's first homerun to take an early lead. They'd add an additional run in the second before exploding for four runs in the third in what would prove to be their highest-scoring inning.  

The Cougars would score all 12 of their runs over the first six innings as the AMCATS were able to hold the hosts scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings.

WHAT'S NEXT

The AMCATS return to action this weekend for a four-game series with UMaine-Presque Isle on Saturday and Sunday at the Northborough Baseball Complex. Action begins at noon on both days.