WESTFIELD, Mass. – Freshman third baseman Jeremy Tanguay (Huntington/Gateway Regional HS) was 4 for 4 and delivered the game-winning hit, an RBI double in a four-run seventh-inning uprising, as Westfield State University rallied a 7-3 victory over Elms College on Tuesday, March 20.
The Owls improved their record to 5-6 following the nonconference victory; they host Albertus Magnus College in the second game of an eight-game homestand on Thursday, March 22 at 3:30. Elms drops to 4-9.
Trailing 3-2 the Owls scored their four seventh-inning runs on four hits and two Elms errors. With two outs and the bases empty, freshman designated hitter Nick Champeau (Southbridge/Tantasqua) continued his hot hitting by singling through the left side.
Senior first baseman Josh Blair (Westfield) blasted a double to left-center and Champeau scampered home with the game-tying run when the shortstop bobbled the relay throw.
Tanguay then ripped his game-winning hit, a double down the leftfield line. Tanguay boosted his batting average to .565 (13 for 23) following the perfect day at the plate.
Freshman pinch hitter Dan Rokitowski (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) drove in two insurance runs when he smacked a single to centerfield for a 6-3 lead. Westfield scored its final run in the eighth when freshman leftfielder Mike Molta (Nantucket) doubled to the leftfield warning track and scored on a single by junior catcher Andrew Medeiros (Acushnet/New Bedford).
Tanguay, Blair and Champeau teamed up for nine of Westfield's hit. The 6-4, 245-pound Blair also had a big day; he was 3 for 4 with a triple, double and two runs scored. Champeau was 2 for 5 with a double.
Elms scored all of its runs in the second inning. The Blazers collected four of their seven hits in the third frame, including a two-run single by Alex King (Lebanon, Conn.).
Westfield scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning on two hits and two Elms errors.
Donny Morse (Alfred, Maine) was the only player with multiple hits for Elms; he was 2 for 4 with a double.
Westfield starting pitcher Aaron Messier (New Bedford) was credited with the victory. He allowed seven hits and three walks and struck out five in seven complete innings. Pitching an inning of hitless relief were Kevin Zyrkowski (Hingham) and Curt Everett (Lexington).
The Owls defense turned three double plays, including a 6-4-3 twin killing that got them out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth.
Freshman pitcher Geoffrey Frost (Ludlow) pitched seven innings to suffered the setback. He allowed 10 hits, one earned run and two walks with no strikeouts.