Baseball Comes Up Short at Clark University

WORCESTER, Mass. (March 23, 2022) – The Western New England University baseball team dropped their first non-conference game in their home state on Wednesday afternoon, falling to the Cougars of Clark University 9-6 from Granger Field. Sean Jamieson exploded at the plate, going 3-4 with two homers and five RBIs for the Golden Bears. 

Records:

• Western New England: 6-3
• Clark University: 8-2

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears opened the top of the first inning with a lot of promise, as both Paul Villecco and CJ Willis would draw walks to get the Golden Bears on base with just one out. Sean Jamieson would come through after Ben Harrison moved the runners over into scoring position. Jamieson would single down the left field line, picking up two RBIs, giving WNE a 2-0 lead. Western New England would take a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning after Matt Lauria shut down the Cougars in their first two offensive innings. Jamieson would come to the plate with no runners on base and crack a solo home run, his first of the season to the deepest part of the ballpark, giving the Golden Bears a three-run lead. 

The home team would storm back, in a quick way, in the bottom of the inning after the Cougars got an RBI double to left field, scoring a run. The Cougars would get four unearned runs in the bottom of third inning, taking their first lead of the contest, at 5-3. Western New England would not go away easily, as they were able to tie of the game back up in the top of the fifth inning. Jamieson would connect on his second home run of the game, this time to left field, scoring Willis to even the score at five. 

Clark would come back with another big inning, scoring four unearned runs in the bottom of the 5^th to take a 9-5 lead. Two RBI singles and an two RBI double for the Cougars would build up the lead, as the Golden Bears would once again find themselves in a hole. The Golden Bears would tag the Cougars for one run in the top of the 6^th inning after Joe Webber connected on a SAC fly to left field, scoring Vincent Caccacale to put the score at 9-6. 

From there, both bullpens would take over the game as the Golden Bears would be unable to mount another comeback in the contest. WNE would go down in order in the eight, before putting Cody Waterbury on base in the final inning, though two quick outs in the 9^th would end the contest in favor of Clark, 9-6. 

Around the Diamond:

• Sean Jamieson led the Golden Bears with three hits in four at bats. In the loss, Jamieson connected on two home runs and a two RBI double, finishing with five RBIs for WNE. 
• SP Matt Lauria went 4.1 innings on the afternoon giving up seven hits and eight runs, though just a single earned run, while not allowing a walk and striking out three. 
• The Golden Bears bullpen, consisting of Kyle Roberts, Ryan Searles, and CJ Willis finished the final 3.2 innings, giving up just four hits and one unearned run. 
• Western New England stole five bases in the loss as Aaron Cole, Paul Villecco, CJ Willis, Sean Jamieson, and Joe Webber all swiped a bag for the Golden Bears. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England opens their home schedule on Friday, March 25 at 3:30 pm as Westfield State University visits Trelease Park. 
• Clark visits cross-town rival Worcester State University on Saturday, March 26 at 12:00 pm.