Winter Haven, FL --- Senior Steven D'Agostino (Worcester, MA) struck out six in a complete-game win, his first of the season, as WPI split a baseball doubleheader with St. Joseph's (ME), Saturday in the Engineers Florida finale. The Crimson and Gray (5-5) took the eye-opener 6-3 while the Monks (4-5) claimed the second 5-4.
The local lefty totaled 64 strikes on 97 pitches, allowed two earned runs and scattered three hits in his second decision of 2018.
WPI erased a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the third with RBI hits through the middle of the infield by junior Austin Lindner (W. Windsor, NJ) and senior Evan Lacroix (Methuen, MA). Freshman Jordan DeDonato (Danvers, MA) began a three-run fourth as he sent a run-producing single to right. Junior Steven Gallagher (Coventry, RI) later connected on a two-out 2-RBI hit down the right field line. Lacroix make it 6-2 with a double in the sixth. The Monks plated one in the seventh.
Lacroix and junior Josh Herlands (Glastonbury, CT) led the way with a pair of hits as the duo, along with sophomore Tyrone Patterson (Upper Marlboro, MD) registered a double.
Senior Matt Howard (Worcester, MA) struck first for WPI as the teams each scored a run in the first inning of the nightcap. The Monks added two in the second and one in the third.
Sophomore David Larson (Port Tobacco, MD) evened the game with one swing in the fifth; however St. Joseph's (ME) plated the game-winner in the sixth.
Junior Ryan Tropeano (Pembroke, MA) led the Engineers in the hit column as he and Lacroix each swiped a bag. Junior Doug Rives (Bethany, CT) struck out six in the first five frames while sophomore Nick Tagaris (New City, NY) absorbed the outcome.
WPI is slated to make its New England Baseball Complex debut Tuesday with a 3:30pm appointment with Worcester State.