Box Score THE BASICS
Score: Emerson 11; WPI 10
Records: Emerson Lions (9-12, 2-4 NEWMAC); WPI Engineers (11-11, 1-5 NEWMAC)
Pitching Decision: W – Benny Guevara (2-0) L– Noah Pins (3-1)
Location: Northborough, MA (New England Baseball Complex)
Date: April 12, 2022
The Lead: Powered by a 5 RBI performance from Junior Matt Nachamie, the Lions were able to overcome an 8-run deficit and defeat WPI in walk-off fashion on Tuesday afternoon.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
EMERSON
Matt Nachamie: 2 for 5 with 5 RBI and 1 run scored (3-run homerun)
Joe Colucci: 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored
Calvin Jacey: 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored
PITCHING:
Benny Guevara: 2 strikeouts and 0 runs through 2 innings pitched
WPI
Michael Fraser: 2 for 3 with 6 RBI and 1 run scored (grand slam)
Kyle Johns: 1 for 2 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored (2- run homerun)
Jeffrey Brennan: 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored
PITCHING:
Dylan Connors: 2 strikeouts and 3 runs through 5 innings pitched
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Lions were first to strike in the home half of the 1st inning when Freshman Briggs Loveland earned a walk before ending up on second base after a single from Junior Thai Morgan. With two runners aboard, Junior Matt Nachamie drove a double off the right-center wall, plating Loveland and giving the Lions an early 1-0 lead.
- WPI was quick to respond as 2 free passes and a single loaded the bases for Michael Fraser. Fraser Proceeded to drive a ball over the right field fence for a grand slam; giving the Engineers a 4-1 lead.
- In the top half of the 3rd inning, WPI's Kyle Johns launched a 2-run homerun of his own over the right field fence; extending the Engineers lead to 6-1 halfway through the 3rd inning.
- The Engineers extended their lead once again in the top of the 5th inning as they again loaded the bases with the help of 2 walks and a single. With the based loaded, Fraser had another RBI opportunity and he converted with a single to centerfield. This single plated 2 runs thanks to an Emerson error and pushed WPI's lead to 8-1. The Engineers tacked on another run before the inning was over; leading by a score of 9-1.
- The Lions offense had been quiet since the 1st inning, but they began to chip away in the home half of the 5th inning. Sophomore Jake Okamoto was hit by a pitch before Senior Quinton Copeland singled to left field. Loveland converted a successful sacrifice bunt; moving the runners over, allowing Morgan to double in both Okamoto. Nachamie would also drive in a run in the inning, cutting WPI's lead to 9-4.
- Emerson continued to chip away at the Engineers lead in the bottom of the 6th inning when Senior Calvin Jacey doubled, driving in fellow Senior Joe Colucci who began the inning with a single.
- Down 9-4 in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Lions continued to fight back into the ballgame. Loveland led off the inning with a double, followed by an Engineer error. This set the table for Nachamie who drove a ball deep over the right field fence; bringing the score to 9-7. Junior Jake Hatch also plated a run on a sacrifice fly; ultimately bringing the Lions within 1 run after 7 full innings.
- WPI manufactured a run to give them a 10-8 lead, but Sophomore Benny Guevara was able to strand the bases loaded and minimizing the damage.
- The score remained 10-8 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning. With 1 out in the inning, Colucci started the rally with a single to right field. Hatch walked, followed by a Jacey single. This loaded the bases for Okamoto who drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. A fielder's choice for Copeland would plate the tying run for the Lions.
- With the score tied at 10-10 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning; Loveland drove a single to centerfield, which gave Jacey the opportunity to score from 2nd base and ultimately giving the Lions a come from behind walk-off victory.
UP NEXT
The Lions hit the road to continue their NEWMAC schedule with a single game at Babson on Friday, April 15. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30pm.
