Willis Breaks Single Season Home Run Record in Thumping of Framingham State

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 3, 2022) – The Western New England baseball team was led by starting pitcher Matt Lauria, who tossed the first eight innings, while CJ Willis smacked his program record 11^th home run of the season, breaking a 35-year-old record of the WNE baseball program.

Records:

• Western New England: 17-16-1
• Framingham State: 9-25

How it Happened:

Nothing came through in the top of the first inning as both the Golden Bears and Rams were shut down by starting pitcher. The Rams of Framingham State would get on the board first when Chris Iannetta would steal second, sending a throw down to the base on a steal. The throw would get away from WNE, scoring Cameron Gilroy and giving the Rams a 1-0 lead. Western New England would come around to score when Jake Balderston and Cody Waterbury would both single, while CJ Willis would reach on a walk, loading the bases with just one out. Ben Harrison would get hit with the pitch, picking up an RBI to even the score at one. 

From there, it would be all Golden Bears who would score in three innings in a row while SP Matt Lauria would shut down the offense of the Rams. A similar situation would score the second Golden Bears run as Aaron Cole would single, John Bova would take a walk and Balderston would be hit by a pitch, sending the bases loaded again with just one out. Cody Waterbury would be hit with the pitch to score another WNE run to give the Golden Bears their first lead of the contest. In the bottom of the fifth, Western New England would get on the board on a Joe Webber run after Western New England's Aaron Cole would connect on a sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Golden Bears a 3-1 lead. Matt Lauria would continue to dominate through seven innings, having given up just two hits and a single unearned run. 

Western New England would come around in the bottom of the seventh inning and explode for eight runs. Ben Harrison would reach on a fielder's choice and advance on an error by the Rams SS to score CJ Willis, giving WNE a 4-1 lead. Both Paul Villecco and John Bova would be put aboard via bases loaded walks, scoring two additional runs for WNE. The Golden Bears would break the game open when Cody Waterbury came through with a two RBI single to left field while CJ Willis would crank his 11^th home run of the season to give WNE an 11-1 lead. Willis's home run would set a program record for single season home runs, with the previous record dating back to 1985. 

Matt Lauria would finish the 8^th inning strong, giving up just two hits, while walking one and striking out six Rams. Demitri Boulas would finish the final inning, striking out all three batters he faced, picking up an 11-1 win for the Golden Bears. 

Around the Diamond:

• Western New England picked up six hits on the afternoon, with Cody Waterbury collecting two of those hits, while picking up three RBIs to lead all batters in the contest. 
• CJ Willis collected his record-breaking 11^th home run of the season, a two run shots in the 7^th inning to give WNE the 11-1 lead. 
• Matt Lauria went the first eight innings on the afternoon, striking out six Rams in the win. 
• Framingham State used nine pitchers in the contest, while none went more than one inning in the contest. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to Curry College for their final two regular season games of the season on Saturday, May 7 beginning at 12:00 pm. 
• Framingham State battles with Fitchburg State in a MASCAC matchup on Friday, May 6 at 3:30 pm.