AMCATS Blaze to Twinbill Split with Elms

HOLYOKE, Mass.—The Anna Maria College baseball team used a four-run first inning to spark a high-scoring 7-1 victory over the Blazers of Elms College in game one of Saturday's non-conference doubleheader. Elms rallied for a 5-0 victory in the nightcap.

Anna Maria's win in game one was just the fifth loss of the season for Elms, who now sits at 21-5 after today's split. Anna Maria moves to 3-16.

GAME ONE – ANNA MARIA 7, ELMS 1

Sophomore pitcher Tanner Jakola (Leominster, Mass.) held Elms to just one run and six hits in a complete-game effort. He also struck out five batters.

At the plate, senior Matthew Leahey (Rutland, Mass.) and freshman Matt Elliot (Attleboro, Mass.) combined for half of Anna Maria's 14 hits. Leahey batted 4-for-4 with two RBI and a run, while Elliot added three hits in four attempts with an RBI and a run.

Junior James Marcello (Mansfield, Mass.) and sophomore Camden Brown (Gardner, Mass.) both tallied two hits each.

Anna Maria wasted little time setting the pace, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter Marcello singled and was pushed to second as Nate Gray (Kingston, N.Y.) walked. Leahey then rattled off his first hit of the day, a single to right field that scored Marcello and moved Gray to third. A double by Jakola in the cleanup spot scored both Gray and Leahey for a 3-0 advantage.

Following a popup for the first out of the inning, Elliot doubled to right-center to score Jakola for the fourth run of the inning. Elms was forced to make an early pitching change but Anna Maria still managed to get all nine batters to the plate in the first inning. The AMCATS stranded two runners as the inning ended on a groundout to third base.

Anna Maria added single runs in the third, sixth, and seventh innings, while Elms lone run was scored in the bottom of the fifth. The Blazers loaded the bases on the first three batters of the inning and scored with just one out, but a fly-out to centerfield and a timely strikeout for Jakola stranded to Elms runners without further damage.

Cody Lemieux took the loss for Elms, scattering four hits, four earned runs and a walk in just 0.1 innings of work. He was relieved by Anthony Garde, who threw 4.2 innings and gave up five hits, two walks, and one run. Closer Anthony Palumbo scattered five hits and two runs in two full innings of action.

Alex Hoss drove in Elms' lone run. He was one of six members of the team to tally a hit.

GAME TWO – ELMS 5, ANNA MARIA 0

The tides turned in the nightcap as three Elms pitchers combined for a two-hitter en route to the shutout victory.

Tom Owens took the win for Elms, scattering both hits, five walks, and three strikeouts over five full innings. Kyle Bartlett and Brian Langdon threw an inning apiece and did not give up a hit.

At the plate, Elms totaled 11 hits, led by designated hitter Stephen Harrison's 3-for-3 effort from the third slot. Third baseman Tim Gelzinis drove in two runs on a 1-for-2 day, while Dan Brunetti batted 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Leahey took the loss for Anna Maria, scattering eight hits, four runs (two earned), two walks and two strikeouts over five full innings. Trevor Brown (Gardner, Mass.) gave up three hits and a run in an inning of work.

Elliot and Joseph Fahey (Auburn, Mass.) were responsible for Anna Maria's two hits.

Elms scored three of their runs in the bottom of the first inning as they capitalized on two AMCAT errors in left field. The Blazers would add single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to claim the victory.

WHAT'S NEXT

Anna Maria has a quick turnaround as they travel to Fitchburg State on Monday for a non-conference nine-inning game at 3:00 p.m. The AMCATS will host Newbury on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. at the New England Baseball Complex—following the game, Anna Maria will provide food and drink as part of the NCAA Division III Week.