Trailblazers Rally Falls Short

Springfield, Mass. - April 5, 2010 - The Springfield College baseball team jumped out to a 6-1 lead after the first inning and held on for a 10-8 win over visiting MCLA on Monday afternoon in a non-conference game at Berry-Allen Field. The win boosts Springfield's record to 9-10 on the season, while the Trailblazers fall to 3-9.  

MCLA jumped on the board first as Paul Procopio (Pittsfield, MA) fought a pitch inside on his hands and sprayed a single to left field to plate John Ripepi (Amsterdam, NY) from second base in the first inning.  

The Pride came out on fire in the bottom half of the first as it scored six runs of its own on five hits. Highlighting the inning was a two RBI single off the bat of catcher Ben Stephenson. Mike Corletta and Karl Quist chipped in with an RBI each as well. Springfield took control of the game as they batted around in the frame which allowed Joe Kropa to pick up two base hits and score a run.  

MCLA tacked on another run in the top of the second to get within four runs. After a base hit by Bobby Beauchesne (Lowell, MA) and a walk to Vince Bordino (New Paltz, NY), Tim Burns (Pittsfield, MA) followed reaching on an error by the shortstop, allowing Beauchesne to score from second.  

Springfield batted around again in the third inning, this time scoring three runs on three hits. Quist and Corletta continued their hot hitting picking up their second base knocks of the afternoon, while first baseman Louie Nucci got a single as well. MCLA was forced to bring in pitcher Andrew Kelly (Dalton, MA) into the game to relieve starter Daniel Gaines (Holyoke, MA)  from his duties.  

The Trailblazers continued to battle back as they scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Eddie George (Falls Church, VA) led off the inning with an infield single and moved to second after Paul Procopio drew a walk. Osiris Mendez (Queens, NY) came up next and hit a booming double into the right centerfield gap, plating both runners. After a ground out moved Mendez to third, Beauchesne hit a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Mendez to tag easily from third.  

The Pride added one run in the bottom of the sixth. Quist cracked a single and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman Mike Sirani, increasing the lead to 10-5.  

MCLA added two more runs in the top of the eighth to cut the Springfield lead to 10-7 with just one inning remaining. Procopio led off the inning with a single for the Trailblazers, Mendez followed reaching on an error, and Mike Meaney (North Adams, MA) singled to load the bases. After striking out the next batter, sophomore pitcher Cody Civello got the ground ball he was looking for from Vincent Bordino, but a costly error in the infield allowed two runners to score.  

The Trailblazers added one more run in the ninth before Brian Harris shut the door on the game. Rick Massey (Cheshire, MA) led off with a double to left field and eventually scored on a base hit off the bat of third-baseman Procopio.  

Starter Mike Cole lasted five innings to earn the win as he gave up two runs, one earned, while scattering four hits and striking out a pair. Quist had a great day at the plate with four hits, while Corletta had three to go along with two RBI. Stephenson and Sirani each had two RBI in the victory. Harris earned the save as he tossed 1.2 innings of relief, giving up one earned run off two hits.  

Gaines took the loss as he lasted just 2.2 innings, giving up nine runs, five earned, off eight hits. Kelly threw the final 5.1 innings, giving up just one unearned run off four hits while fanning four. Procopio led the visitors at the plate with a team-best three hits and two RBI in the loss.  

Springfield next hits the diamond on Tuesday afternoon when it travels for a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest at MIT. First pitch will happen at 3:30 pm. The Trailblazers are at SUNY-Cobleskill tomorrow at 3:00PM.