BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott baseball team swept Suffolk University on Sunday afternoon by scores of 10-3 and 6-3 in a non-conference doubleheader on Senior Day.
Prior to today's pair of games, 11 seniors and graduate students were recognized for their contributions towards the baseball program and the Endicott Community along with several family members in a ceremony at home plate. The group of seniors and graduate students included Adam Blake (Mansfield, Mass.), Dan Kelly (Stoneham, Mass.), Cam Farnham (Andover, Mass.), Corbin Hyde (Lewiston, Maine), Mike Kochiss (Fairfield, Conn.), Steve Morganelli (Milford, Mass.), Colby Morris (Newburyport, Mass.), Luke Morse (Manchester, Conn.), Eric Nagle (Manchester, Conn.), Nick Quattro (Canton, Conn.), and Anthony Serina (Portsmouth, R.I.).
GAME ONE: Endicott 10, Suffolk 3
Endicott exploded for four runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back in game one against the Rams.
Michael DeDonato (Chelmsford, Mass.) highlighted the Gulls as the junior second baseman went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI from the leadoff spot in the lineup.
Morris claimed the win (3-3) on 6 1/3 innings pitched, seven hits, three runs (all earned), four walks, and five strikeouts, while Hyde finished out the last two outs of the contest via a strikeout looking and a foul out to first base.
Tim Conroy (Arlington, Mass.) suffered the loss (2-2) through five innings of work, nine hits, 10 runs (nine earned), eight free passes, and two punchouts.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Endicott stole eight bases (tied eighth all-time in a single-game).
- DeDonato and Kochiss both stole three bases each (tied seventh all-time).
- DeDonato also busted the game wide open in the fifth inning with a three-run double to left center as part of a four-run frame.
FOR THE FOES
- Brady Chant (Warwick, R.I.) broke up the shutout in the sixth with a solo home run to left field for his first of two on the day, and second overall on the season.
- Kevin Higgins (North Attleboro, Mass.) went 2-for-3 with one RBI, which came in the seventh on a single through the left side of the infield.
GAME TWO: Endicott 6, Suffolk 3
Nagle collected the victory (1-1) out of the pen in game two behind 2 1/3 innings, two hits, one run (earned), and two walks.
Tyler Zell (Marion, Mass.) received the loss (0-1) over six frames, 10 hits, six runs (all earned), one walk, and a punchout.
Similar to game one, the Gulls raced out to a 4-0 lead, but this time the offensive outburst came in the second inning. Hunter Boyce (Bangor, Maine) started the scoring with a bunt single down the right field line, while the Gulls' following three runs came across on a throwing error, and back-to-back RBI singles from DeDonato and Kochiss.
Joseph Deutsch (Fairfield, Conn.) added a fielder's choice RBI in the third and DeDonato plated Endicott's final run in the sixth with a double in the left center gap.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- DeDonato went 3-for-4 with two RBI giving him a stat line of seven hits, two runs scored, two doubles, five RBI, and four stolen bases in the doubleheader. DeDonato also has collected 12 hits in his last five games.
- The Gulls are 14-8 in the all-time series versus Suffolk.
- Endicott has won seven games in a row, and has outscored its opponents 45-20.
FOR THE FOES
- Chant launched a solo homer in the seventh to left field for his second of the day (third overall).
- Sean Cameron (Milford, Conn.) posted a 2-for-4 showing from the second spot in the lineup.
- The Rams scored their only other runs in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, on a BJ Neil (Lynnfield, Mass.) groundout and a Kevin Belskie (Norristown, Pa.) sacrifice fly to right field.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (22-15) travels to UMass Boston tomorrow night for a non-conference tilt at 7 PM. Suffolk (21-13) hosts Salve Regina tomorrow at 4 PM. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo by Parker Fish)