NEWPORT, R.I. – The fifth-seeded Gulls of Endicott College bested fourth-seeded Wentworth 13-7 in day two of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) baseball postseason tournament Sunday afternoon at Reynolds Field on the campus of Salve Regina University.
The Leopards conclude their season at 13-18 overall, while the Gulls improve to 26-15 and survive to meet the host Seahawks tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
Wentworth senior Robby Sheldon (Dover, N.H.) held the Gulls scoreless through the first three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two in the frame. Endicott freshman Nickolas Perkins (Nashua, N.H.) broke the drought with a three-run shot to right field for the 3-0 lead. The Leopards got two back in their next chance at the plate, as a Gulls' rogue pitch sent sophomore Dave Mitchell (Avon, Mass.) home to put Wentworth on the board. Freshman Aidan French (Chicago, Ill.) continued his strong postseason performance after hitting his first career home run just a day ago, and belted a doubled to right center to send junior Anthony de la Cruz (Lynn, Mass.) home with ease to pull within one, 3-2.
The Gulls pushed 10 runs across the final three innings, highlighted by another three-run bomb by Perkins in the seventh. Wentworth ignited a late rally in the bottom of the ninth, tacking on five runs, two of which were driven in by sophomore Owen Swanson (New Milford, Conn.). Seniors Bryon Kucharski (East Haven, Conn.) and Tyler Weninger (Chandler, Ariz.) sent two home as well in the effort.
Kucharski led the Leopards on the bats going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Swanson and French each recorded a double, while juniors Andrew Elliot (Rockland, Mass.) and Jake Smith (Orange, Conn.), de la Cruz, and freshman Tommy Madigan (Valley Falls, N.Y.) connected at the plate with a base hit for Wentworth.
Sheldon suffered the loss on 5.1 innings tossed, allowing four earned runs and one walk, while striking out three. Freshman Nate McDonald (Durham, Conn.) and juniors Mike Callagee (Emerson, N.J.) and Ben Rexford (Lancaster, N.H each made an appearance on the mound for Wentworth in the setback.
Endicott sophomore Joseph Oriola (Pembroke, Mass.) earned the win on the hill with six K's and four walks, while allowing three hits and two earned runs.
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