THE BASICS 

Score: MIT 8; Emerson 5

Records: Emerson Lions (10-21, 3-12 NEWMAC); MIT Engineers (12-19-1, 7-8 NEWMAC) 

Pitching Decision: W – Matt Leonard (1-4) L – Johnny Maffei (1-5) SV- Brian Rapanan (2)

Location: Lynn, MA (Fraser Field)

Date: April 29, 2022

The Lead: Despite striking out 11 in 8 strong innings of relief from Sophomore Chris Lowe, the Emerson baseball team fell to the Engineers of MIT in game 1 of a 3-game series on Friday afternoon at Fraser Field.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON

Lou Davolio: 1 for 1 with 1 run scored

Briggs Loveland: 1 for 4 with 1 run scored

Pitching:

Chris Lowe: 11 strikeouts and 1 run (0 earned) through 8 innings pitched

MIT

Cory O'Shea: 1 for 3 with 2 RBI and 1 run scored

Kyle Sonandes: 2 for 5 with 1 run scored

Erik Anderson: 1 for 3 with 2 RBI

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• With the help of 5 walks in the opening frame, the Engineers plated 5 runs on just 1 hit. The Lions found themselves in a 5-0 hole before they even had a chance to hit.
• With 2 outs in the home half of the 1^st inning, Emerson's offense would answer. MIT walked the bases loaded, and the Lions were able to plate 2 runners on a wild pitch and a balk. After 1 complete inning, the Engineers held a 5-2 lead.
• MIT's Kyle Sonandes led off the top of the 2^nd inning with a double off of the left field wall. Sonandes later stole 3^rd and scored on an error by Emerson's catcher. The Engineer's would push 1 more run across in the inning, extending their lead to 7-2 through 1 and a half innings played.
• From innings 3 through 6, the pitchers on both sides dominated. The Lions Sophomore hurler Chris Lowe came in relief and quieted the Engineers bats while the Engineers' Matt Leonard and Karl Meyer combined to keep the Lions bats quiet. Both times had a combined 4 base runners in the middle innings and after 6 innings, MIT still held a 7-2 lead.
• MIT stopped the scoring drought when they tacked on 1 run in the top of the 7^th inning.
• The home half of the 7^th inning is when the Lions were able to cut into the lead. 5 walks and 2 errors allowed the Lions to plate 3 runs in the inning. Junior Jake Hatch and Sophomore Jake Okamoto both drew bases loaded walks. After 7 complete innings, MIT held an 8-5 lead.
• Unfortunately for the Lions, MIT's Brian Rapanan came in to pitch after playing the first 7 frames at 3^rd base. Rapanan slammed the door on the Lions; securing his second save of the season and an 8-5 victory for the Engineers.

UP NEXT

The Lions head to Cambridge to finish up the regular season with a doubleheader on the campus of MIT. First pitch is scheduled for 11am on Saturday, April 30^th.