Nationally-Ranked Wheaton Edges Endicott, 6-1
March 30, 2007
BEVERLY, MA - Wheaton College starting pitcher Adam Gingras (Woonsocket, RI/Woonsocket) threw eight innings of three hit no-run baseball, as the Lyons defeated Endicott, 6-1, in a non-conference baseball game Friday afternoon in Beverly, MA. Wheaton is currently the top-ranked team in New England and the nations 10th ranked squad according to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).
Wheaton broke out for a three run lead in the top of the third as the Lyons connected on back-to-back triples by Brandon Leonard (Brockton, MA/Brockton) and Jake Yagjian (Brewster, MA/Nauset Regional) to take a 1-0 lead. A single to left by Adam Laplante (Harwich, MA/Harwich) scored Scott Guillerault (South Portland, ME/South Portland) and Yagjian to put the visitors up 3-0.
Wheaton manufactured another run in the top of the fifth inning. Adam Laplante singled to left field and was able to advance to third on a throwing error by catcher Dan Gomez (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) on a steal attempt. Robert Foote (Walpole, MA/Walpole) grounded out to Gulls pitcher Jason Newham (Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford), allowing Laplante to score on the fielder's choice.
The Lyons struck again in the top of the sixth on an RBI sacrifice bunt by Travis Anthoine (Portland, ME/Portland) and again in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Jason Clucas (Peabody, MA/Saint John's Prep) to score Patrick Moore (Brookline, MA/Brookline), giving the visitors a 6-0 lead. Endicott broke the shutout bid on an RBI double by Dan Gomez in the bottom of the ninth, making the final score 6-1.
Wheaton pitcher Adam Gingras ended the afternoon with no runs on three hits in eight innings of work. The sophomore right-hander walked two batters while striking out five in the win. Offensively, the Lyons combined for six runs on 11 hits. Five Wheaton batters registered an RBI on Friday.
Endicott returns to action with a doubleheader on Sunday, April 1st as they open Commonwealth Coast Conference play with New England College. The games were originally scheduled to be played in Henniker, NH, however unplayable field conditions have moved the contests to the Endicott campus. Game one of the doubleheader starts at 12:00 Noon on North Field.