NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. - After a pair of weekend games against Bates College and Wesleyan (Conn.) were postponed due to inclement weather, Emerson College baseball was looking to shake off some rust against conference rivals MIT.
The Lions hadn't played since last Thursday's loss to Bridgewater State and the Engineers took full advantage, recording five extra-base hits, three being home runs, to fuel a 12-2 win in a game that was called after the seventh inning due to mercy rule.
Emerson falls to 5-21 (2-9 NEWMAC) on the season, while MIT improves to 12-15 (3-8 NEWMAC).
GAME SUMMARY
MIT took a 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-run home run by Jake Sonandres and a solo blast by Kennan Gumbs. Gumbs hit another home run later on in the fifth inning, catalyzing a six-run frame for the Engineers. MIT led 10-0 going into the sixth inning.
Emerson was held scoreless until the bottom of the sixth.
Chris Ferara led off with a single and advanced to third on a double by
Blake Benway.
Ty Bourne later pinch-hit and drove in Ferara with a seeing-eye single through the right side of the infield.
Benway also came around to score after a misplay on the relay. The Engineers got both runs back in the seventh inning on a two-run double by Michael Finch.
Angelo Deer was tabbed with the loss after giving up four runs while pitching into the third inning. MIT's Chase Rubin was credited with the win, pitching two scoreless innings in relief of Engineers starter Karl Meyer. Brian Rapanan finished the game for the visitors.
Shane Moriarty relieved Deer and went two innings before allowing a run and leaving runners on first and third with one out in the fifth inning.
Aidan Rice took over on the mound and allowed five runs while finishing out the frame. Two were credited to Moriarty while Rice was pinned with one earned run due to the other two scorers reaching on infield errors.
Jake Morvillo pitched the final two innings for Emerson, allowing two runs on two hits to go with two walks and two strikeouts.
Briggs Loveland,
Jake Okamoto, and
Ryan Herskowitz combined for three hits, with Herskowitz's coming in a pinch-hit spot in the bottom of the seventh.
Avery Smith also reached base twice by drawing a pair of walks.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Angelo Deer - 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
Chris Ferara - 2-4 (2B, SO), R
Blake Benway - 1-2 (2B, BB, SO), R
Ty Bourne - 1-1, RBI
Briggs Loveland - 1-4, SB
NEXT UP
Baseball is scheduled for a Senior Day Saturday doubleheader against Salve Regina at Fraser Field in Lynn, Mass. The Seahawks have been one of the best teams in Division III this season, slotting in at No. 7 in both the D3Baseball.com/NCBWA poll and the ABCA poll. Salve has a 10-2 record against NEWMAC opponents and will face non-conference opponents in Worcester State and Anna Maria before Saturday's games.
