Baseball Makes Late Comeback to Draw Even with Amherst College

AMHERST, Mass. (April 13, 2022) – The Western New England baseball team saw an early lead evaporate in the middle innings, though were able to make a comeback to draw even with the Amherst College Mammoths before the game was called due to darkness, finalizing the contest with a 7-7 score between the two schools. 

Records:

• Western New England: 12-9-1
• Amherst College: 6-13-1

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears, who were looking to bounce back from a non-conference loss just 24 hours ago, got the game's first run to give the Golden Bears an early 1-0 lead. CJ Willis and Ben Harrison would connect on singles with one out while Joe Webber would ground out to second base, though Willis would score on the throw to get Western New England on the board. The next two runs of the contest came in the top of the second, also belonging to the Golden Bears. Paul Villecco would smack a home run to right field to give WNE a 2-0 lead. The very next batter, EJ Dudley would follow suit, sending the baseball over the fence, this time to left field, as the Golden Bears went back-to-back to take a 3-0 lead early in the top of the second. 

Matt Lauria made the start for the Golden Bears, holding the Mammoths of Amherst off the board for the first three innings, giving up just a single hit. 

Amherst would get to Lauria in the bottom of the 4^th inning when a double to left field would lead the Mammoths off before an RBI single would get the Mammoths on the board for the first time in the contest, with Western New England still holding a two-run lead, at 3-1. A 6-4-3 double play would get the Golden Bears out of the inning, not allowing Amherst to do any further damage. Western New England had their chance to answer in the top of the 5^th when Willis cracked a double to right center field, which followed an RBI double down the left field line, getting Amherst's run back and taking a three-run lead again. 

Western New England's lead would last for just a half inning more as the Mammoths would explode for a six run, six hit bottom of the 5^th to take a 7-4 lead. Two doubles and two two RBI singles would prove to be the difference in the inning as Jacob Hobart would be unable to get out of the inning, going 0.2 innings, giving up four hits and six runs. The Golden Bears would pick up their pitcher and make a full force coming, which started in the top of the 7^th when Sean Jamieson singled up the middle to score Willis to put the Golden Bears down by two runs. Prior to the single by Jamieson, Ben Harrison would knock in Jake Bladerston on an RBI single to right field, as WNE exited the top of the 7^th with a one run deficit. 

In the 8^th, the Golden Bears would grab another run to complete the comeback as Willis reached on a fielder's choice which would score Paul Villecco to even the score 7-7. In the bottom of the 9^th, Western New England would see the Mammoths put to aboard, and advance on a wild pitch to have the go-ahead runner just 90 feet away. Jared Kuryan would lock down the Mammoths, getting a ground out to shortstop. The game would be suspended due to darkness, ending in a tie with a final score of 7-7. 

Around the Horn: 

• Ben Harrison slashed 4-5 at the dish on the afternoon, picking up two RBIs for the Golden Bears. Harrison collected three singles and a double, while coming away with ten putouts in the field. 
• CJ Willis, Sean Jamieson, and EJ Dudley came away with multi-hit efforts for WNE. Dudley cracked his first career home run in the win. 
• SP Matt Lauria went the first four innings, giving up three hits and one run while walking one and striking out two. 
• Relief pitchers Ryan Searles and Jared Kuryan combined for four innings of working giving up just two hits to Amherst while walking none and striking out two. 
• The Golden Bears tie a ballgame for the first time since April 7 when WNE tied with CCC opponent, Salve Regina University. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England returns to CCC on Saturday, April 16 at 12:00 pm when they host Roger Williams University from Trelease Park. 
• Amherst College will host Trinity College on Friday, April 15 at 3:30 pm for their annual Pride Game at Memorial Field.