NORTON, Mass. (April 14, 2026) – Wheaton College answered an Emerson College run in the top of the first inning with six in the home half and went on to secure an 18-2 victory in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action at Sidell Stadium this afternoon.

First year Evan Jones and junior Tyler Bellan each drove in three runs to pace the Wheaton lineup that produced two big innings in the win. Jones finished 2-for-3 with a run scored to go with his three RBI, while Bellan drove in three without a hit, using a sacrifice fly, sacrifice bunt and walk to score runs.

Senior Marcus Rodrigues batted 3-for-4 for the Lyons with a double, RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore Logan Downey hit 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Five different Wheaton batters scored multiple runs without a hit in the contest, led by first year Derek Babineau, Jr. with four runs scored.

Sophomore righthander Evan Yakavonis earned the win on the mound for Wheaton, allowing two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks over five innings. Two Lyons relievers combined to retire all six batters they faced to close the game out.

First year Liam Wagner doubled and drove in a run to lead Emerson, while junior Justin Fields finished 1-for-2 with a stolen base, RBI and run scored. Sophomore righthander Henry Kagan took the loss (0-5) as all six batters he faced scored, just two earned, on four walks and two hits.

Emerson struck first in the top of the first with sophomore John Churchward leading off with a single to right and later scoring on a sacrifice fly to left by Fields after stealing second and reaching third on a single from junior Braeden O'Connell.

Wheaton responded with six in the home half to take the lead for good. Rodrigues led off with a double but scored on a passed ball after advancing to third on an error. Downey added an RBI single, while Babineau, Jr., drew a bases loaded walk before Downey scored on a wild pitch. Bellan drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and then Jones drove in a run with a bunt single.

Emerson closed back within four in the fourth when Fields singled through the left side with one out, stole second, and scored on a two-out double down the leftfield line by Wagner. Wheaton answered with ten runs in the fifth to break the game open. Rodrigues delivered an RBI single with two out and Jones later added a two-run single for the only two base hits in the frame.

Up Next

Emerson (4-18, 1-9 NEWMAC) is back in action on Thursday when it hosts Framingham State University in a makeup of a February 28 postponement at the New England Baseball Complex at 3 p.m. Wheaton (18-7, 7-3 NEWMAC) hosts Brandeis University tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

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