April 28, 2007
Box Score - Game One - Box Score - Game Two
BEVERLY, MA - The Endicott College baseball team closed out the 2007 regular season with a Saturday doubleheader split against Nichols College on Senior Day in Beverly, MA. The Gulls fell 3-2 in game one, but then rebounded for a 6-0 game two victory.
Nichols jumped on the board first in game one as Parker Riley (Parkland/Allentown, PA) connected on an RBI single to put the Bison up 1-0. Steve Tamagni (Amity/Orange, CT) doubled the visitors lead as he found the gap in right-center, driving in Riley on an RBI double for the 2-0 lead.
The Bison made the score 3-0 in the top of the fourth as Timothy Smith (St. Bernard/Plainfield, CT) cranked a double down the left field line to score John Kostas (Milton/Milton, MA).
Nichols' pitcher Andrew Besegai (Plymouth/Plymouth, MA) took a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth, however the Endicott bats finally got to the junior lefty. The Gulls John Skutnik (Pittsfield, MA/Pittsfield) and Blake Wessel (Blue Hill, ME/George Stevens Academy) combined for back-to-back singles to put runners on for the Blue and Green. Tom Warner (Contoocook, NH/Hopkinton) reached on a Bison fielding miscue to score Skutnik, making the score 3-1. Besegai, perhaps a bit rattled from the defensive error, balked on a pick-off attempt, allowing Wessel to score on the free-pass. Besegai's defense bailed the lefty out of a tough jam, converting on an inning ending double play on a tag at third and strike across the infield at first to double-up the Gulls.
Endicott would leave one stranded in the bottom of the seventh as the Gulls bats just couldn't get another run across. Besegai finished the afternoon throwing a complete game three hitter, surrendering two runs and striking out two in the win. Senior Jason Newham (Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford) took the loss, throwing seven innings and fanning five.
The low scoring affair transitioned into game two, as a pitchers duel took a scoreless game into the bottom of the fourth. It was there that the Endicott offense broke out of slump and began putting together a string of hits. Senior outfielder Joe Orlando (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester) led the Gulls off with a hard double. Dan Gomez (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) showed his patience at the plate to earn a no-out walk to put two runners on for Endicott. Following a sacrifice bunt from Blake Wessel, Ryan Scanlon (Lowell, MA/Lowell) smacked a two RBI single up the middle of the infield to give the Gulls a 2-0 lead. Aaron Santos (Cambridge, MA/Cushing Academy) singled to score Scanlon and put the home team up 3-0. Senior second baseman Steve Vidmosko (Shelton, CT/Fairfield Prep) kept the rally alive with a an RBI single of his own to add to the Gulls lead. Brian Andersen (Grafton, MA/Grafton) capped the scoring off in the fourth with a wall-ball double to make the score 6-0.
The six run lead was all Tyler Connelly (Grafton, MA/Grafton/Cushing Academy) would need as the Endicott pitcher had an outstanding outing for the Blue and Green. Connelly finished the game only allowing one hit in a complete game effort. The freshman added to his strikeout total by sitting down nine bison by way of the K.
Endicott finishes the regular season with a record of 14-19 and 10-10 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Gulls look to defend their 2006 CCC crown as they enter the Conference Tournament next week. Check back to www.ecgulls.com for a full tournament bracket and game times once a schedule is released.