Gulls Double Up Westfield State

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WESTFIELD, Mass. – Leadoff batter Daniel Mello (Peabody, Mass.) was 2 for 4 and drove in the game-winning run with an RBI double in the seventh inning to lead Endicott College to a 4-2 non-conference baseball victory over Westfield State University on Thursday, April 26.
 
Endicott gets back in the win column, improving  to 22-14 as the Gulls have won 11 games in their last 12 starts. Westfield State falls to 17-16.
 
With the score tied at 2-2, Endicott pinch hitter Taylor English (Barre, Vt.) walked to lead off the top of the seventh. English was retired at second on Ralph Fidaleo's (Fairfield, Conn.) fielder's choice bunt. Fidaleo stole second and Michael Russo (Natick, Mass.) walked to put two on for Mello, who sent a ringing double down the left field line on an 0-2 pitch by Kevin Zyrkowski, who replaced reliever Kyle Canole.

Designated hitter Eric Lemke (Southington, Conn.) drove home the game's final run on a fielder's choice grounder to second base.
 
The Owls collected three of their six hits in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. With two outs and the bases empty, freshman designated hitter Nick Champeau singled up the middle. Kevin Greene singled thru the right side on a hit-and-run and Champeau scampered to third. Senior Josh Blair then blasted a two-run double to left-center field.
 
Endicott scored a run in both the second and third frames to tie the score. In the second, Conor Ressel (Rockport, Mass.) rapped a one-out single, stole second and scored on two-out RBI single to right-center by Fidaleo, who was playing left field in the game.
 
Mello was hit by a pitch to lead off the third, advanced to second on Lemke's sacrifice bunt, stole third, and scored on a double to left field by shortstop E.J. Martinez (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
 
The Gulls had eight hits, with Fidaleo having a 2 for 4 day and collecting an RBI. Champeau was 2 for 4 for the Owls and Pat McWilliams ripped a pinch-hit double in the ninth inning.
 
Steven Carter (Brunswick, Maine) was the winning pitcher for Endicott, improving to 3-1 on the year. The 6-6, 225-pound sophomore threw six complete innings, allowing four hits and three walks and striking out two. Kevin Dupras (Belchertown, Mass.) pitched the final three innings to earn his first save; he gave up two hits and no walks and fanned three.
 
Mike Sullivan pitched the first six frames for the Owls, allowing five hits and one walk and whiffing four.

Endicott will play their final conference series on Saturday, a home double-header against Salve Regina. The first pitch on North Field will be at 12:00 pm.

Westfield State will be at Fitchburg State at the same time for a double header in the MASCAC.