Harwich, MA --- Freshman Matt Lavanchy (Walpole, MA) went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs as he helped pace the second-seeded Lyons to a 3-1 triumph over #8 Daniel Webster in the second elimination game of the NCAA Division III Baseball New England Regionals at Whitehouse Field.
Wheaton (32-11) will play another elimination game tonight at 8 PM against fourth-seeded Western New England. The Eagles, who captured their first-ever NCAA Tournament win yesterday in their second trip, see their 2012 campaign come to a close at 29-12.
The Lyons opened the scoring in the top of the third when senior Dan Gusovsky (Andover, MA) was plunked with the bases loaded. Wheaton looked poised to score more again, but Daniel Webster senior starter Syed Ali (Dracut, MA) ended the frame on a ground-out to first base.
In the top of the fourth, senior Paul O'Neill (Framingham, MA) led off the frame and then he moved to second on a solo base-knock by classmate Justin Connor (Arlington, MA). Lavanchy followed by laying down a bunt for the RBI squeeze for the 2-0 edge.
Wheaton tacked one more run in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Lavanchy, to score sophomore Justin Peluso (N. Andover, MA).
Daniel Webster broke the shutout to make the score 3-1 in the bottom half of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by senior Elliot Kilgore (Milford, NH), which brought in classmate Darrik Marstaller (Spofford, NH). Marstaller jump-started the offense with a lead-off single, swiped second and moved to third on a ground-out.
But Wheaton junior starter Nick Filloramo (Rochester, MA) and the bullpen helped protect the lead as they stranded two in scoring position to preserve the lead for the final score.
Filloramo (6-3) hurled seven solid innings, allowing one earned run to go with four hits and five strikeouts. Filloramo did not walk a batter in an outing where he threw an effective 89 pitches (68 strikes).
Sophomore Mike Bisceglia (New Boston, NH) recorded a punch out in a scoreless eighth and junior Ryan Grant (Easton, MA) rung up two batters on strikes in the ninth to help record his 12th save of the season.
With his save this afternoon, Grant becomes Wheaton's all-time leader in the category with 36 to his credit in his outstanding career.
Ali (4-4) was tagged with the setback as he permitted three earned runs to go with eight hits, three walks and a pair of strikeouts.
Lavanchy was the lone multi-hitter for the Lyons while Marstaller and freshman Devin DeCarteret (Pelham, NH) both chipped in with two base-knocks apiece.
Wheaton outhit their opponents 9-5 for the contest. Today's meeting was the first-ever by the two ball clubs.