Trailblazers end season with comeback sweep of Newbury
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers swept visiting Newbury College coming back in both games against the Nighthawks. MCLA earned walk off wins in both contests, winning game one on a Chase Preite two run double, before winning the nightcap in 13 innings, 5-4, on a bizarre play.
With the wins, MCLA finishes the 2012 season at 14-23 overall while Newbury is at 21-19 heading into their conference tournament.
The opener was locked in a pitchers dual between MCLA's Cody Weaver and Newbury's Chris Ninteau. After five and a half scoreless frames, the Trailblazers struck for two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Joe Duncan led off with a single and was quickly sacrificed to second. He then promptly stole third and scampered home when the throw sailed into left field. Preite would follow with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He came around when Rory Slattery lifted a fly to center field for a 2-0 advantage.
Newbury would rally however against Weaver in the seventh. The Nighthawks scored three runs on six hits in the inning, the biggest of which was a Daniel Kovner single to give Newbury the lead.
MCLA would rally though as Derek Lescarbeau and Joe Duncan both walked with one out. Weaver reached on an infield single to load the bases, setting the stage for Preite. The freshman came through, launching a double into the right center gap to give MCLA the victory.
Preite was the lone Trailblazer with multiple hits. MCLA was outhit by Newbury 10-8. Newbury was led by Chris Murphy and Michael Dean who each had two safeties.
Weaver earned the win while striking out five in the complete game performance. Alec Thibodeau adsorbed the loss for Newbury.
Game two lasted 13 innings and once again MCLA had to battle back to earn the win. MCLA led 3-1 after five innings before Newbury rallied in the sixth.
The Nighthawks opened the inning with consecutive singles and then Cameron D'Agostino squared to bunt. He reached on a throwing error which allowed a run to score while moving runners to second and third in the process. Kovner drove in a run with a groundout while the go ahead run scored on a wild pitch.
MCLA rallied again in the seventh. Nick Mancini was hit by a pitch with one out, then was pinch run for by Ryan Shewchuk. After a flyout, pinch hitter Lescarbeau singled to move Shewchuk to third base. Duncan came through with a single to center field to tie the score. MCLA had a chance to win it then, but a groundout ended the frame.
Both teams had chances in the extra frames, but MCLA's DJ Clark and Newbury's Daniel Lumb kept posting zeroes. Lumb was outstanding tossing five shutout innings, allowing just a pair of hits. Clark was equally impressive, throwing seven shutout innings and just four hits.
MCLA finally broke through in the 13th inning. With one out, Weaver doubled to deep left. After a fly out, Clark helped his own cause with an infield safety, setting the stage for the bizarre ending.
Sean Coyle was at bat in the first and third situation. He grounded to second, who flipped to the shortstop covering second base, however the fielder was ruled off the bag to give MCLA the odd walk off win.
Clark earned the win to even his record at 3-3. Michael Gulla took the loss for Newbury.
The Nighthawks outhit MCLA 11-10. Dean had another solid game collecting three hits, as did Joey Herer. Starting pitcher Alex Chetelat notched a pair of hits as well.
Joe Duncan led MCLA with three hits while Weaver added a pair.