Worcester, MA --- WPI freshman Sam Miraglia (West Babylon, NY) batted 4-for-4 with three RBI and junior Sean Minor (Sherman Oaks, CA) threw seven strong innings and struck out nine to lead WPI past Becker 7-1 in a non-conference baseball game on Monday afternoon at Holy Cross' Fitton Field. With the win, WPI sees its season come to end with a 12-21 record, while Becker dips to 17-7.
The Engineers dented the scoring column in the bottom of the second inning. John Flynn (Albion, ME) singled to left field and Alex Posch (Hopedale, MA) walked. Both came around scored on a Miraglia double to center.
Posch led off the fourth with a single to left field and advanced to second on a passed ball. Miraglia smacked a hit to center field that was ruled a trapped ball and allowed Posch to score the third run of the game.
Greg Mannke (Weymouth, MA) and Bryan Watkins (Belmont, MA) each knocked in a run in the sixth to put the Engineers ahead 5-0.
Becker scored a run in the top of the seventh on a pair of singles by Cody Ewest (Warrenton, GA), Manny Sanchez (Porterville, CA) and a run-producing-single by Mike Smith (Warner, NH).
In the bottom of the eighth Daniel Thomas (Manchester, NH) walked with the bases loaded and Mitch McClune (Pembroke, MA) hit a sacrifice fly to bring in the final two Engineer runs.
Minor improves to 5-1 as he allowed one run on six hits to go along with nine strikeouts. Kyle Boucher (Manchester, NH) fanned three in two scoreless innings for the Crimson and Gray.
Brown (0-1) lasted 5 2/3 for the Hawks, surrendering five runs – four earned – on 11 hits and striking out three. Jake Morgan (Cranston, RI) gave up two runs on one run in 1 2/3 of work and Matt Langello (West Haven, CT) pitched a scoreless 2/3 of an inning.
Posch and Mannke each went 2-for-3 with Posch crossing home plate three times. Graduate student pitcher Nolan Murphy (Shrewsbury, MA) walked in his only career at bat for the Engineers.
Before the game, Watkins, Boucher and Murphy were honored for their contributions to the WPI Baseball program.
The Hawks play the second of three straight games versus Worcester County opponents tomorrow when they entertain Anna Maria at 3:30pm
Story by Mark Therrien - WPI Athletics