WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (2/27/2024) – Behind a 5-5 afternoon, hitting for the cycle and 11 RBI coming from Graduate Student Jim Marasco, the Nichols College baseball team grabbed their first win of the 2024 season with a 21-4 win over the University of Saint Joseph from the USJ Baseball Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Blue Jays played their first NCAA baseball game against the Bison.
Marasco set a new program record in RBI in a single game, with his 11 RBI on Tuesday afternoon. Marasco did so, by hitting for the cycle (single, double, triple, and home run) to lead the Bison. He finished the day going 5-5, with two home runs, 11 RBI, a hit by pitch and four runs scored. Marasco passed the old record of seven RBI, set by Luke McLaughlin, who did so against Curry on March 28, 2004.
Sophomore Noah Sanabia added three RBI and homered in the game for the Bison. Seniors Johnny Knox, Andrew Croteau and junior Karl Miller all added multi-hit games for Nichols. Graduate Student Will Kleinhenz chipped in with three RBI and a double.
Knox opened the game with a single to left field and reached third base after a failed pick off attempt and pass ball. Senior Brennan Hyde doubled in Knox to give the Bison a 1-0 lead. After three walks, Croteau walked with the bases loaded to extend the lead to 2-0 Nichols in the first half inning.
The Blue Jays answered back with a run of their own. USJ grabbed their first lead of the game, with a two-run home run in the third inning, making it 3-2 Blue Jays.
In the fourth inning, after a hit by pitch and two singles, Knox reached o a fielder's choice and scored freshmen Charlie Tarara from third to pull even at 3-3. Hyde was then intentionally walked to load the bases for Marasco. Marasco belted a grand slam to left field, to blow the game wide open and take a 7-3 lead. Sanabia singled and Croteau tripled to the left center gap to score Sanabia, making it 8-3 after four innings.
Marasco hit his second home run of the game, to lead off the sixth inning. This was a solo shot for he third basemen and made it 9-3 Bison. The Blue Jays answered back in the bottom half of the sixth inning, making it 9-4.
In the seventh innings, Nichols added six more runs in the inning. After three walks and a sac bunt, Marasco batted once again. He grabbed his sixth RBI of the game, after being hit by a pitch and scoring sophomore Liam Flynn. Kleinhenz then doubled down the left field line, to score two more runners, making it 12-4. Sanabia then blasted a three-run home run to left field as well, clearing the bases and posting three more runs on the scoreboard for a 15-4 lead.
In the eighth inning, Miller singled, Knox and senior Kelvin Gutierrez walked to load the bases. Marasco batted once again, and this time he tripled to center field. Nichols led 18-4. Marasco then scored on a throwing error by the short stop for a 19-4 lead after eight innings.
Back-to-back walks for the Bison in the top of the ninth, gave Marasco the opportunity for one more at bat. Marasco hit a bloop single into right field that snuck under the glove of the right fielder for the single and was able to complete the cycle, while adding two more RBI to his effort.
Nichols beat the Blue Jays, 21-4 for this first win of the 2024 season.
Sophomore Brandon Metivier made his season debut with 2.2 innings pitched and two strike outs. Junior Richard Pignone earned the win with 0.1 innings pitched. Freshmen Houston Wills tossed two scoreless innings and a team high three strikeouts for the Bison in his first collegiate appearance. Classmate Chris Critchley went 0.2 inning with a strike out and junior John Steed threw 0.1 innings of relief. Freshmen Jaden Mwangi, Leo Colena, and Johnathon Brzezicki all threw 1.0 inning as well.
Nichols (1-1) will hit the road for a three-game series against LaGrange College (GA). The Bison will play three games from March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. on Friday.