BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Wheaton College (Mass.) baseball team defeated host Bridgewater State University, 13-3, this afternoon at Alumni Park in Bridgewater, Mass. The Lyons improve to 3-5 on the season and snap a five-game losing streak, while the Bears dip to 7-5.
The win is victory number 700 for Wheaton College Head Baseball Coach Eric Podbelski. He is now 700-293 (.705) and currently ranks 23rd among active coaches at NCAA Division III for victories and his winning percentage is seventh-best among active coaches.
The Lyons scored at least one run in each of the first seven innings of the game, while Bridgewater State scored all three of its runs in the ninth inning.
Junior third baseman Nick Croteau (Cumberland, R.I.) finished the day with three extra-base hits, going 3-5 with a pair of doubles and a triple, while driving in three runs and scoring a run for Wheaton, while first year Kevin Matos (Lawrence, Mass.) knocked in two runs, going 2-3 with a run scored. First year first baseman Anthony Teberio (North Andover, Mass.) reached base five times in six plate appearances with four walks and a single for his first collegiate hit, while plating a pair of runs and scoring twice. Senior right-handed starting pitcher Gavin Reily (Bridgewater, Mass.) evened his record at 1-1 with a win in his hometown after throwing five scoreless innings on two hits and two walks to go with six strikeouts.
Sophomore right fielder Jay Wladkowski (Norwood, Mass.) and junior first baseman Dan Saraceno (Mansfield, Mass.) each knocked in a run with a double and both came around to score as well for the Bears. Senior Jonathan O'Donnell (Hull, Mass.) was 1-2 with an RBI. Senior right-hander Patrick Cashin (Franklin, Mass.) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks and fanned four batters.
The Lyons didn't score more than three runs in any inning, but they didn't stop scoring until the eighth inning.
Wheaton wasted no time in getting on the board when sophomore center fielder AJ Guindon (Coventry, R.I.) stroked a leadoff single and came around to score on a triple to right center from Croteau. Cashin was able to retire the next three Wheaton batters to limit the damage and keep it a one-run game.
The Lyons scored three times in the top of the second to take a 4-0 lead. Sophomore left fielder Amedeo Ucci Jr (Warwick, R.I.) cracked a two-out double to left field to push Teberio to third after he drew a walk. The runners moved up a base on a balk, which scored Teberio with the visitors' second run. Guindon followed with a single to right to bring home Ucci and Croteau doubled to plate Guindon to make it 4-0.
Matos drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Teberio reached on an infield single that brought in another run to give Wheaton a 6-0 cushion in the third inning.
The Lyons tacked on another run in the fourth with the benefit of an error to make it 7-0. Wheaton loaded the bases with one out in the fifth to set up a run scoring bases on balls from Croteau before the Lyons added another run on an error to give them a 9-0 advantage. Wheaton loaded the bases again for the second straight frame and again scored without having to swing the bat as sophomore pinch-hitter Tommy Ambrosone (Hopkinton, Mass.) was hit by a pitch to force in a run.
The Lyons scored three runs in the seventh to take a 13-0 lead. Senior right fielder Jake Studley (Barrington, R.I.) led off with a single followed by walks from senior catcher Zach DeMattio (North Attleboro, Mass.) and junior second baseman Mike Maher (Jefferson, Mass.) to push the sacks full. Matos was hit by a pitch to force in a run, followed by a run-producing walk from Teberio. Ambrosone reached on a fielder's choice to bring home the final run of the game for Wheaton.
Bridgewater scored all three of its runs with two outs in the ninth. Following a double-play, first year John Golato (Smithfield, R.I.) singled to left center to keep the home team alive. Wladkowski and Saraceno belted back-to-back doubles to bring home a run each, before O'Donnell singled for the fourth straight hit of the frame and the Bears' third run to cut the deficit to 13-3. Senior reliever Zach Clesas (Johnston, R.I.) was able to retire the final batter with a ground out to secure the win for the Lyons and deliver Podbelski the milestone victory.
Wheaton returns to action on Thursday, March 26 when it hosts University of Massachusetts Dartmouth at Sidell Stadium for the team's home opener at 3:30 p.m., while Bridgewater State heads to Milton, Mass. to take on Curry College tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.