Gulls' Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Just Short In 5-4 Loss To Suffolk

BEVERLY, Mass. – A three-run ninth inning rally for the Endicott baseball team ended with the bases loaded as the Gulls ultimately fell, 5-4, to the visiting Suffolk Rams Wednesday evening in non-conference action at North Field.

The Rams got on the board first as sophomore right fielder Seth Coiley (Arlington, Mass.) blasted a solo shot to left field in the top of the fourth to lead off the inning.

Endicott answered in the bottom of the frame as senior designated hitter Anthony Serina (Portsmouth, R.I.) stole home on a pick-off play with runners on the corners in the fourth inning to knot the score at 1-1.

Suffolk added one run in the eighth on senior third baseman Drew Carter's (Newburyport, Mass.) RBI infield single to plate senior left fielder Rob Marks (Revere, Mass.). The Rams padded their lead to 5-1 with three runs in the ninth inning courtesy of a two-RBI single to right center by sophomore center fielder Brady Chant (Warwick, R.I.) to bring around junior catcher Matt Brenner (Eliot, Maine) and junior first baseman Kevin Belskie (Norristown, Pa.), followed by Marks' RBI single up the middle scoring Chant.

The Gulls didn't go down without a fight as freshman catcher Michael Amato (Simsbury, Conn.) led off the inning with a single to right center for Endicott's first hit since the seventh inning and advanced to second on a balk with pinch-hitter Brad Rebello (Bellingham, Mass.) at the dish.

Rebello doubled to left center to bring home Amato, followed by a single from sophomore second baseman Michael DeDonato (Chelmsford, Mass.) to bring up pinch-hitter Michael Casciano (Somers, Conn.) who reached on a fielder's choice that scored Rebello with no outs.

DeDonato crossed the plate when freshman first baseman Chris Seidl (Dracut,Mass.) reached base on a throwing error by the third baseman. The team trailed just 5-4 with one out and the bases loaded thanks to an intentional walk granted to senior right fielder Matthew Paola (Middlebury, Conn.), but a strikeout looking and fly-out to right field ended the threat as there would be no walk-off magic for the Gulls this time around as the team batted through the order.

Senior right-hander Davarn Nova (Buzzards Bay, Mass.) suffered the loss (1-3) on 1 2/3 innings in relief as he allowed three runs, three runs (two earned).

Suffolk's freshman reliever Jake Frasca (Darien, Conn.) earned the win (2-0) as he came on to pitch in the seventh inning and gave up three hits, two runs, and struck out three, while senior RHP Cal Carroll (Methuen, Mass.) picked up his fourth save of the season with one run (unearned) on one hit, one walk and two punchouts as the Rams won their third game in a row.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Gulls' senior starter JJ Branch (Milford, Mass.) got a no-decision as he went seven innings on the hill and scattered five hits with one run, walked two, sat down one by way of the K and allowed his second home run of the season (the most he has allowed in a single season in his career).
• Serina led the Gulls at the plate with a 2-for-4 day (one double), two stolen bases, and one run scored as he had both of Endicott's hits until the Gulls strung together three more in the ninth.
• Five hits are Endicott's second-fewest this season, but the Gulls drew a season-high nine walks.
• Paola had his 11-game hit streak snapped with an 0-for-3 effort today.
• Amato collected his second career hit today and scored his first career run.
• Rebello smashed his first double of the season in the ninth inning.
• Junior right-hander Victor Molle (Peabody, Mass.) made his seventh appearance of the season as he faced three batters and recorded the final out of the ninth for the Gulls with two hits and one run allowed.

NOTES

• The Gulls still lead the all-time series, 12-7, which dates back to March 31, 1999.
• The Gulls had won 10 straight meetings with the Rams coming into today's game.
• Endicott is 9-5 all-time at home against Suffolk.

FOR THE FOES

• Chant got the visitors' first hit of the game with a single to left field in the top of the third inning.
• Suffolk starter Kyle Turner (Nashua, N.H.) lasted six innings on the bump and allowed just one hit and one run (unearned), but issued eight free passes while striking out four.
• Marks paced the Rams with three hits, while Chant and Belskie each tallied a pair.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (9-6, 0-0 CCC) returns to action on Sunday, April 10 with a conference doubleheader against Roger Williams set for 12:00/2:30 p.m. at North Field. Suffolk (14-4, 0-0 GNAC) hosts Newbury on Thursday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. 

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.