Castellano's Walk-Off Pinch-Hit Infield-Single Gives Baseball Double-Header Sweep

MARLBOROUGH, MA: The Anna Maria College baseball team swept a double header with New England College on Sunday at MHS Bauks Field in Marlborough. The AMCATS used a six run fourth inning to blow open the first game, going on to win 10-1. In the second game it was an extra inning walk off infield hit by freshman outfielder Joseph Castellano III (Holmes, NY) that sent the AMCATS home with a 3-2 win.

THE BASICS:

Date: Friday, March 20, 2022
Game 1- Score: NEC 1, Anna Maria 10
Game 2 - Score: NEC 3, Anna Maria 2
Records: Pilgrims of New England College 4-6 | AMCATS of Anna Maria 8-6

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the first game the AMCATS batted around in the fourth inning. Senior left-fielder Jason Shell (Sandwich, MA) opened the scoring for the AMCATS when he drove in junior centerfielder Hunter Dunithan (Reno, NV) from third as the Pilgrims left-fielder couldn't handle a lined shot into shallow left center. Following a single by junior designated hitter designated hitter Elijah Spataj (Cheshire, CT), Senior first baseman Nick Morley provided the biggest blow of the inning with a two run single back up the middle, scoring senior shortstop Kosta Drosidis (Holden, MA) and Powers.

A walk to senior third baseman Nick Genatossio (Sutton, MA) loaded the bases and was the followed by an RBI walk to senior catcher Noah Holland (Sandwich, MA) driving NEC starting pitcher Shayne Audet (Springfield, MA) from the game. Junior second baseman Jake Gagnon (Bellingham, MA) flew to center to drive in the AMCATS fifth run and leaving runners on first and third. Holland then went to steal second base, but the Pilgrim's catcher's throw was high allowing Genatossio to scamper home from third.

In the second game it was a pitcher's duel with Pilgrims Shaun Cormier (Rochester, NH) and AMCATS Anthony Pingeton (Charlton, MA) both putting up impressive showings. It would be Cormier who would blink first giving up a run in the first when Shell doubled to left. He was followed by a Drosidis single to left that brought Shell home with the game's first run.

In the top of the next inning the Pilgrims would even the score. With runners on the corners, Sylvain Audet (Springfield, MA) drove in a run when he grounded to Gagnon at second but Drosidis was forced to put the ball in his pocket instead of trying to turn two.

The AMCATS would retake the lead in the bottom of the inning when Spataj grounded through the left side, took second on a ground out by Morley and advanced to third on a balk. Holland then singled through the left side for the RBI.

The Pilgrims forced extra innings against freshman reliever Nick Choate (Grafton, MA). With the bases loaded Brady Philibotte lifted a sac fly to centerfield, scoring Ryan Hughes (Northwood, NH). Choate induced Connor Morin into a foul pop to third base to get out of the jam.

Junior righthander Bob Ross relieved Choate for the eighth and struck out the side setting the AMCATS up for an exciting bottom of the eighth. Drosidis and Powers both singled to center and then moved to second and third on a passed ball. After a grounder back to the pitcher, the Pilgrims intentionally walked Genatossio to set up a double play opportunity. Castellano would then bring the day to an end by beating out a dribbler to the left of the mound that the third basemen attempted to barehand but Castellano just beat the throw to first.

UP NEXT:

Anna Maria will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to Rhode Island College. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30pm.

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