Big Second Inning, Willis Walk off Sends Baseball to Split with Stockton
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Stockton | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
|
Western New Eng. | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Western New Eng. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
Stockton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | X | 9 | 12 | 0 |
AUBURNDALE, Florida (March 13, 2022) – The Western New England baseball team returned to the field for the first time in over a week on Sunday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader with the Ospreys of Stockton University.
Records:
- Western New England: 3-1
- Stockton University: 5-3-1
Game 1: Western New England 6, Stockton 5
Robert Zawacki would make the start for Western New England, getting the Golden Bears out of an early hole in the first inning as Stockton quickly put runners in scoring position, though a backwards K would send WNE to the dugouts unscathed. Western New England would break out on offense in the bottom of the second innings. CJ Willis started off with a double, who would then come around to score on a triple from Jack Loftus to give WNE a 1-0 lead. Vincent Caccavale ripped an RBI single to give WNE a 2-0 lead. Henry Schowerer wouldn't miss a beat, getting the Golden Bears their third run of the inning on an RBI single. Western New England would cap off the scoring in the inning when Aaron Cole ripped a two RBI single to send WNE into an early 5-0 lead.
The Ospreys would slowly chip away at the Golden Bears five run lead as an RBI single in the top half of the third inning would give Stockton their first run of the game. A three run third inning, which included a SAC fly, error, and single would send the score to 5-4 in favor of the Golden Bears. The Ospreys would tie the game in the top of the 6th inning on an RBI double.
The contest would need extra frames, as the Ospreys and Golden Bears move into the 8th inning. In the 8th, Matt Vigliotti would get out of a jam with the bases loaded and one out, getting a strike out and fly out in the inning to escape the jam. The offense for the Golden Bears would come through in the bottom half of the inning when Paul Villecco and Ben Harrison would both be put on base via walk. Willis would rip an RBI single to send home Harrison to lead the Golden Bears to a walk off 6-5 victory in game one of the doubleheader.
Around the Diamond:
- CJ Willis went 3-4 on the afternoon with an RBI and a walk. Teammate Jack Loftus collected two hits and an RBI in the win.
- SP Robert Zawacki went the first five innings giving up nine hits and four run (two earned) while walking two and striking out three. Relief pitcher Matt Vigliotti picked up his first decision of the season, going three innings, giving up three hits and one unearned run, while walking two and striking out three.
- Stockton left 13 runners on base in the loss, their third of the season.
- John Perrino led the Ospreys with four hits in five plate appearances, collecting three RBIs.
Game 2: Stockton University 9, Western New England 0
The Golden Bears were unable to get the bats going in the second game of the afternoon as SP Mike Schiatarella would toss the 24th perfect game in NCAA Division III history, taking down 14 Golden Bears via strikeout. Stockton's starter picked up their first ever perfect game in program history. A run in the first, five runs in the fifth, two runs in the sixth and a pair of single run innings for the Ospreys sent them to a final of 9-0 over the Golden Bears.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England takes on Worcester State University at 9:30 AM on Monday, March 14.
