Golden Bears Tie Season Opener at RPI, 8-8

TROY, N.Y. (February 27, 2023) – The Western New England baseball team opened their 2023 season on the road on Monday afternoon, tying with the Engineers of RPI 8-8. The game was called due to darkness. 

Records:

• Western New England: 0-0-1
• RPI: 0-0-1

How it Happened:

Western New England would open the second inning by collecting their first runs of the season after Cody Waterbury would reach on an error by the RPI second baseman which would be followed up by the first home run of the season by Paul Villecco to give the Golden Bears an opening 2-0 lead. Western New England would continue to score in the top half of the second inning when Jake Gerraughty reached on another RPI error, which would then be followed up by a single from John Bova to move the bases loaded. CJ Willis would deliver his first two RBIs of the season after sending a rope up to center field, collecting two RBIs to give WNE a 4-0 lead. A double steal would send Willis to second and another WNE run across the board when Bova swiped home to give WNE a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom half of the second inning. 

RPI would gain ground in the bottom of the fourth inning getting a double and a single that scored two off WNE SP Kevin Hummer to cut into WNE's lead. Hummer would go the first four innings for the blue and gold giving up five hits and two runs while walking two and striking out one. 

Western New England would grab a run back in the sixth inning when Aaron Cole brought in Jack Loftus on an RBI triple to give the Golden Bears a four-run lead back, which stood at 6-2. The Engineers did all they could to battle back, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning on a wild pitch and RBI sacrifice fly to bring RPI down to only a two-run disadvantage, 6-4. RPI would collect their first lead of the game on a three-run home run from Martin Marintchev giving RPI the 7-6 lead after seven full innings of play. 

Western New England would mount their comeback in the eighth inning when Jake Gerraugthy grounded out to second, though scored Jack Loftus on an error by the Engineers to even the score at seven. 

In the top of the ninth, Western New England would retake the lead on a sacrifice fly by Cody Waterbury, leaving the score 8-7 after 8.5 innings. RPI would threaten and score in the bottom half of the ninth on an RBI single up the middle up the middle with just one out in the inning to even the score. Western New England RHP Jared Kuryan would force RPI to ground into an inning ending and game ending double play to secure the tie for the Golden Bears, 8-8. 
Inside the Lines:

• Western New England put together five hits and eight runs in the ballgame while RPI slashed ten hits and collected eight total runs. 
• Both CJ Willis and Paul Villecco picked up two RBIs each for the Golden Bears while Cody Waterbury and Aaron Cole picked up an RBI each. 
• John Bova and CJ Willis each stole a base while Jack Loftus stole two bags. 
• WNE used three pitchers on the day, Kevin Hummer going four innings, Matt Lauria going three innings giving up three hits and five runs, four earned while walking four and striking out three. Jared Kuryan finished off the game by going two innings on the hill, giving up two hits and a run while walking one and striking out three. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to Springfield College on Saturday, March 4 for twin ball beginning at noon.