BEVERLY, Mass. – The third-seeded Endicott baseball team used a 12-run seventh inning to turn aside sixth-seeded Gordon, 14-1, on day one of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament at North Field.
Endicott starter Kevin Gould (Rollinsford, N.H.) picked up the win (5-2) on seven strong innings of work, which included two hits, one run (unearned), three walks, and a game-high seven strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Joe Pedulla (Monroe Township, N.J.) suffered the loss (2-8) via six innings, five hits, five runs (all earned), four free passes, and four punchouts.
The Gulls struck for two runs in the first inning on a Nickolas Perkins' (Nashua, N.H.) sacrifice fly and a Dan Cacciola (Saugus, Mass.) RBI bunt single down the third base line for a quick 2-0 advantage.
From there, both starters traded zeroes on the scoreboard until Gordon broke up the shutout with a bases loaded walk by Sam Schetelich (Scotch Plains, N.J.) with one out in the top of the seventh. Gould answered for Endicott when it mattered most, however, as the senior induced Gordon's next batter into a 1-2-3 inning-ending double play to maintain the lead.
In the bottom half of the frame, the Gulls picked up their starter, who buckled down in the previous inning, with a 12-run frame, highlighted by a two-run triple down the right field line by Cacciola and never looked back.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Endicott improved to 37-11 all-time against Gordon.
- The Gulls also have won their last three meetings versus the Fighting Scots.
- Cacciola went 3-for-4 with a career-high four RBI.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (22-16) travels to second-seeded Roger Williams tomorrow for a 2 PM contest. Gordon (10-27) visits fourth-seeded Salve Regina tomorrow at 3:30 PM.
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(Photo Credit - Michael Rotiroti)
