Northboro, MA --- Sean Kelly (Shrewsbury, MA) logged his 100th career hit and Taylor Landry (Kennebunk, ME) struck out a career-best nine batters in a 12-2 triumph over Emerson in the NEWMAC baseball opener for both squads on Tuesday at the New England Baseball Complex.
The Engineers, who were the guests on the scoreboard, plated the initial run of the contest in the top of the first as Sean Greene (Hingham, MA) chased Nick Comei (Haverhill, MA) home with an RBI triple.
Landry and Henry Schwartz (Queens, NY) yielded only one hit apiece and combined to set down 20 batters in order – including seven via the strikeout - before Emerson took the lead in the sixth. Pablo Feldman (Mill Valley, CA) pushed Jim Cain (Wakefield, MA) and Mitch Moormann (Hollywood, FL) across with a bases-loaded 2-RBI single to center field for the 2-1 Emerson advantage.
WPI had the bases loaded in the next half inning; however, a fielder's choice, swinging strikeout and an infield grounder prevented any damage.
Landry closed out his day with a 1-2-3 seventh before the Engineers went on an 11-run scoring spree in the eighth, highlighted by trio of 2-RBI hits. Kelly used his milestone swing to deliver runs three and four of the frame while Comei singled in a pair and Anthony Capuano (Stoneham, MA) capped off the spree with a two-run double to left center.
Landry (3-0) did not allow an earned on four hits to go with the nine strikeouts in seven complete. Steven D'Agostino (Shrewsbury, MA) pitched the eighth and Drew Gelinas (Saco, ME) struck out three in the ninth.
Schwartz toed the rubber for 7 1/3 and struck out four while Cal Laird (Willowbrook, IL) and Julian Rifkind (Brooklyn, NY) also saw time on the mound for Emerson.
Offensively, Capuano (double) was 3-for-4 with three RBI and Greene (triple) batted 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. DJ Ouellette (Watertown, CT) collected a pair of hits and Zach Blanchard (Warwick, RI) also doubled for the Engineers.
Tim Quitadamo (Worcester, MA) and Kyle Muhlfriedel (Los Angeles, CA) joined Moormann, Feldman and Cain in the Emerson hit column.
WPI (10-4, 1-0 NEWMAC) returns to the New England Baseball Complex tomorrow for a 3:30pm appointment with Worcester State. Emerson (0-12, 0-1 NEWMAC) hosts Coast Guard for a noon conference set on Saturday at Gordon.