Baseball Splits a Doubleheader Against Eastern Mennonite
Port Charlotte, FL- Clark University baseball moved to 3-3 on the young season with a double-header split against Eastern Mennonite University (Va) on Tuesday afternoon. The Cougars fell 3-2 in the opener, but rebounded to post an 11-4 victory in the nightcap.
In game one, Clark put up a single run in the first inning on a Ronald Bathrick (North Haven, CT) hit, driving in Matt Adams (Jackson Heights, NY), who had singled. This would prove to be the only earned run yielded by Eastern Mennonite starter Ethan Russell (Huntly, VA). Russell would go four and two third innings, scattering nine hits and walking three to go along with the lone earned run.
The win for the EMU Royals would go to Matthew Ramey (Stuarts Draft, VA). Ramey relieved Russell with two outs in the fifth and would pitch through the sixth inning giving up one hit and striking out one.
The EMU offense would get to Clark starter John Merrit (W. Bridgewater, MA) for three runs, two earned, highlighted by a solo home-run by catcher Zach Polloni (Hatfield, PA) in the fourth inning which proved to be the difference. Merrit would go the distance for the Cougars, striking out four and giving up six hits while walking none.
In game two, the Cougar offense was finally able to unleash its offensive attack, knocking the EMU pitching staff for 11 runs. Leading the attack for Clark were the one and two hitters-Adams and Eric Dufour (Exeter, NH). Adams doubled and singled, scoring two runs, while Dufour singled and homered, also scoring two runs. Both Adams and Dufour also added three RBIs a piece.
Freshman Phil Bertocci (Thomaston, ME) took the start for Clark, going three innings, giving up three earned runs and five hits. Starring in relief for the Cougars was Erik DiMarco. DiMarco-pitching on four consecutive days- would hold the Royals scoreless and only allowing three base runners over two innings. The Cougar offense would help out DiMarco by putting up two runs in the fourth innings and two more in the sixth, taking a lead they would not relinquish.
Junior Angelo Guisado (Springfield, MA) would hold the Royals scoreless in the eighth, and hand the ball over to freshman Dan Vladimir (Lexington, MA) for his first collegiate appearance. Vladimir would allow one run and notch one strike-out in his first inning of college work.
For EMU, Jeff Walker (Ellicott City, MD) would pace the offense with two hits and an RBI. Polloni would add another home-run, his second of the game, to put the Royals on the board in the third inning, but it would not be enough as Clark took the night cap 11-4
Clark, now 3-3, is off on Wednesday before returning to action Thursday morning against Thomas More College (KY) in a single 10:30 AM game.
By Joe Pasciucco