Baseball Drops Twin Bill vs. #20 Southern NH Saturday
Links: Box Score (G1) | Box Score (G2)
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – The Merrimack College baseball team battled No. 20 Southern New Hampshire up in Manchester on Saturday afternoon, dropping both games of a doubleheader in Northeast Division play from the SNHU Baseball Field.
The Basics
Score (G1): Merrimack 0 | Southern NH 5
Score (G2): Merrimack 2 | Southern NH 8
Records: Merrimack (14-16, 6-11 NE Div.) | Southern NH (28-8, 14-3 NE Div.)
Location: SNHU Baseball Field | Manchester, N.H.
How It Happened (G1)
Senior right-hander Joe Carnevale (East Providence, R.I.) took the hill for the Warriors, looking to tie the program record with his 17th career victory against the 20th-ranked Penmen. Carnevale also entered the contest looking to break the Merrimack record for innings pitched, as he needed just 5.1 innings pitched to put his name atop the Warriors record book.
Merrimack got a taste of its own medicine in the bottom of the second, as the Penmen executed a first-and-third play, scoring their first run of the game. Carnevale settled down and did not allow a run over his final five innings of work.
Southern NH started Mike Robert pitched well for the hosts, as he struck out nine batters over eight innings of work. Junior Frank Crinella (East Longmeadow, Mass.), who played shortstop for the first time this season, was the lone Warrior who collected more than one hit. The Navy and Gold offense was shutout for the first time this season in the series opener.
In the bottom of the sixth, Alejandro Diaz flied out to right field, completely Carnevale's 245.1 IP in a Merrimack uniform, passing Josh Sohn for the all-time mark. The senior hurler now owns the program records for both innings pitched and strikeouts. After Saturday's start, Carnevale now has 229 career K's.
How It Happened (G2)
The Penmen pitching stymied the Warriors offense again in Game 2. Southern NH entering the game boasting one of the best staffs in the region, with a sub-3.00 ERA as a team.
Freshman PJ Browne (Rutland, Mass.) bounced back after struggling in his last outing against No. 1 Franklin Pierce. He battled through seven innings with the Penmen scoring four runs against him, three of which were earned. He totaled eight strikeouts and only allowed two walks.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Warriors scored their only two runs of the twin bill. Junior centerfielder Bobby Losanno (Peabody, Mass.) scored on a throwing error by the Penmen third baseman. Senior Dionys Quezada (Lawrence, Mass.), making his first appearance at first base of the season, followed that up by advancing home on a wild pitch. The two runs cut the deficit to two runs at 4-2.
Southern NH responded with a four-run bottom of the eight to pull away from the Warriors. The Penmen totaled eight hits, with No. 9 hitter Bryan Told registering three RBI. Merrimack hurt themselves by leaving 11 runners on base. The Warriors totaled 11 hits, compared to just eight for the hosts.
Inside The Numbers
- Crinella combined for four hits over the two games, including a duo of multi-hit contests. He now has a 14-game hitting streak, eight of which have been multi-hit efforts
- Junior Sean O'Neill (Norwood, Mass.) made his first appearance of the season at third base. All of his other appearances have come at first base. The Preseason All-Region selection is hitting a career high .368 over 106 at-bats this year
- Quezada went hitless in the series opener, both responded in the second game with two hits from the No. 8 spot. It was his first multi-hit game since March 8 against Wilmington
Up Next
The series between the Warriors and Penmen concludes tomorrow at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
