Baseball Splits GNAC Doubleheader at New England College on Monday

GAME ONE | USJ 14, NEC 6

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ opened the scoring in the top of the second inning as senior infielder JJ Fox (Killingworth, Conn.) lined an RBI single to left field, bringing home senior infielder Ryan Shaw (Ellington, Conn.) for a 1–0 lead. Moments later, sophomore infielder Jack Kane (West Hartford, Conn.) added an RBI single of his own to double the advantage.
• NEC trimmed the deficit with a solo home run from Jaken Pellerin in the bottom half of the inning, but USJ answered in the fourth. A defensive miscue allowed junior infielder Tyler Carlstrom (Rocky Hill, Conn.) to score before Fox delivered his second RBI single of the game to make it 4–1.
• The Blue Jays broke the contest open in the top of the fifth, plating four runs behind an RBI double from Shaw and run‑scoring singles from sophomore outfielder Joe Gratta (Bristol, Conn.), Fox, and Kane to extend the lead to 8–1.
• NEC battled back with four runs in the bottom of the fifth and another in the sixth to cut the margin to 8–6.
• USJ responded emphatically in the seventh, erupting for six runs to put the game out of reach. The inning was highlighted by a bases‑clearing double from senior outfielder Ryan Quinn (Middletown, Conn.) as the Blue Jays sealed the 14–6 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Blue Jays matched a season high with 15 hits.
• Six USJ starters recorded multi‑hit performances.
• Quinn and Fox led the offense with three RBI apiece.
• Sophomore pitcher Aaron LaRose (Williston, Vt.) improved to 4–0, allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out six over 5.1 innings.
• Sophomore Marcus Tarfano (Southington, Conn.) closed the game with 1.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out two to earn his fifth save of the season.

GAME TWO | NEC 14, USJ 11

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Offense came early and often in the nightcap. USJ struck first in the top of the first inning when Shaw stayed hot, ripping a two‑run double to center field to give the Blue Jays a 2–0 lead.
• NEC responded quickly with two runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.
• The Blue Jays surged ahead in the third, erupting for five runs behind RBI doubles from freshman infielder Sam Balducci (South Windsor, Conn.) and Gratta to build a 7–2 cushion.
• The Pilgrims countered with big swings of their own, scoring six combined runs across the third and fourth innings to take an 8–7 lead.
• In the top of the fifth, sophomore catcher Jack Kushman (Southington, Conn.) launched his second home run of the season—and second in as many days—to put USJ back in front, 9–8.
• Momentum shifted again in the bottom half of the inning, as NEC belted three consecutive home runs to reclaim the lead at 12–9. The Pilgrims later added insurance runs to extend the cushion to 14–9.
• USJ made one final push in the ninth. With two outs, Quinn crushed a two‑run home run to center field to cut the deficit to 14–11, but the rally came up short as NEC secured the split.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• USJ recorded a season‑high 17 hits in game two.
• Seven Blue Jays posted multi‑hit performances.
• Kushman and Shaw each drove in three runs to pace the offense.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to action on Wednesday, April 1, traveling to Clark University for a non‑conference matchup. First pitch between USJ and the Cougars is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Granger Baseball Field in Worcester, Mass.

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