DUDLEY, Mass. (Apr. 21) – Junior Cody Jankins (West Brookfield, Mass.) capped off a 4-for-6 outing with a 2-RBI walk-off single in the nightcap as Nichols swept Eastern Nazarene in a key Commonwealth Coast Conference baseball doubleheader by scores of 13-4 and 11-10 on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Bison improve to 8-18 on the season and 5-9 in the conference while the Lions slip to 6-28 on the year and 2-12 in CCC action.
Facing a 10-3 deficit heading into the bottom of the seventh, junior Bryan Gill (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) began the rally as he was issued a free pass and was the first Bison to cross home plate as he stole home. Junior John Micciche (Holbrook, Mass.) put the ball in play to help Jankins score. Junior Kyle Russell (West Yarmouth, Mass.), first-year Brett Jackson (Larchmont, N.Y.) and senior Richie Burke (Newburyport, Mass.) each walked and Gill was hit by a pitch in his second at-bat of the frame as all four Bison were credited with an RBI. Jankins then provided the heroics on a single down the right field line.
The game began as Eastern Nazarene jumped on the board with three runs in the first. Senior Danny Rodriquez (Bronx, N.Y.) sent a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in the first run as senior Johan Villalona (Bronx, N.Y.) doubled to plate a pair of baserunners.
Eastern Nazarene then opened the game wide open in the top of the second on a grand slam by sophomore Max Pugh (San Diego, Calif.), a 2-RBI triple by rookie Pat Yee (Lynnfield, Mass.) and a run-producing single off the bat of junior Alex Alcantara (Bronx, N.Y.).
Jackson hit into a ground out to second base to drive in the first Bison runner in the bottom of the inning.
Nichols inched closer in the fourth inning as Gill delivered a pair of runs on a single to right field.
The squads then traded zeroes on the scoreboard until the Bison seventh inning rally.
First-year Colin Geagan (Watertown, Mass.) gets credit for the victory (2-1) as he surrendered two runs on six hits in 5.2 innings of relief. Sophomore Anthony Berroa (Teaneck, N.J.) shoulders the defeat (0-7) for the Lions.
In the opening game, Eastern Nazarene sophomore Ryan Garza (Elsa, Texas) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in the initial run of the afternoon in the top of the second.
Nichols then lit up the scoreboard six times in the home half of the frame. Jackson and first-year Mike Cattaruzza (North Branford, Conn.) both reached home on an infield miscue followed by a three run shot by Jankins that cleared the fence in left center. Micciche singled to drive in the final run of the frame.
The visitors grabbed a pair of runs back in the top of the third on a 2-RBI double off the bat of senior George Williams (Thornwood, N.Y.).
Micciche collected an RBI on another single in the bottom of the fifth for the 12-3 advantage.
Nichols' Gill and Eastern Nazarene junior Michael Chiaradio (Teaneck, N.J.) each doubled to drive in a run as each club scored once in the seventh.
Sophomore Tyler Shute (Mashpee, Mass.) improves to 3-2 as went the distance for the fifth time this season. The Bison pitcher allowed one earned run on nine hits while setting down six Lions. Sophomore Brandon Wells (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) was tagged with the loss.
Jankins (4-for-6) and Gill (3-for-6) were each .500 or better at the plate, combining for 11 RBI, seven runs scored, and four doubles as Russell, Jackson and Micciche all batted .429 (3-for-7) for the Bison.
Rodriguez paced the Lions with a perfect 4-for-4 afternoon as he drove in one run and crossed home plate twice. Senior Steve Doyle (Weymouth, Mass.) hit safely three times as Alantara, Garza, Berroa, and Chiaradio all collected a pair of hits for the visitors.
Prior to the first pitch, the Bison welcomed the family of Matt Ziemian '10, a four-year member of the baseball team who recently lost his battle with leukemia. A moment of silence was observed in honor of Matt and all those affected by the disease. The team wore special orange shirts while donning an orange ribbon to go along with the "Z" that was embroidered on this year's caps. A full transcript of head coach Joe Teixiera's remarks can be found below.
Following the first game, seniors Dylan Courtney (Ware, Mass.), Nick Fowler (Salem, Mass.), Andrew Letellier (Saco, Maine) and Burke were recognized for their contributions to the Nichols Athletics and the baseball program.
The Bison host Worcester State tomorrow for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference contest while the Lions wrap up their CCC slate at Western New England on Monday. Game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Pregame Transcript
"Ladies and gentlemen, before we meet today's starters, we would like to welcome the family of Matt Ziemian, class of 2010 to the campus of Nichols College as we remember Matt, a guy who was always smiling, a guy with a great a sense of humor and a guy who just loved the game of baseball.
Matt recently lost his battle with leukemia. He was a four year member of the baseball team, playing in 70 games, who hit a homerun in his first collegiate at bat. He knew why we were out here on this field: it was to have a good time and enjoy the camaraderie with all his teammates out here.
It was an honor to coach Matt but more of honor knowing him.
The Nichols community is wearing orange t-shirts today to show support and determination that leukemia will be one day curable.
Let's all be thankful for every day that we have and secondly let's wear it with pride and play with pride for Z.
Now we ask you for a moment of silence for all people who have been affected by Leukemia and especially for Z."