BRISTOL, R.I. – Chris Flynn (Naugatuck, Conn.) struck out a program-record 17 batters for the third-seeded Roger Williams University Baseball team, paving the path to a win in the opening matchup of the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament, 9-6 over the fourth-seeded Nichols College at Paolino Field on Wednesday afternoon. Christopher Flynn (Randolph, N.J.) and Brandon Jenkins (East Bridgewater, Mass.) each collected multiple hits and drove in a pair of runs as the Hawks advance to play Endicott College in the double-elimination tournament.
With the win, RWU moves to 27-9-2 and buy themselves some breathing room entering their matchup with the second-seeded Gulls in Beverly on Thursday. The Bison, meanwhile, fall to 18-20-1 and get a tough draw as they must venture to Newport and play top-seeded Salve Regina.
Flynn went the first eight innings in his record-setting start, and while he did allow six hits including a pair of home runs to allow three runs, he did not walk a man as he improved to 7-2. Ben Weber (Rockway, N.J.) got the ball for Nichols and showed why he got the ball in the contest, striking out four in 4.2 innings but some defensive miscues also harmed him and he finished by allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits and three walks.
Hawk Highlights
Brandon Jenkins: 3-for-4, SB, BB, 2 RBI, RS
Christopher Flynn: 2-for-5, 2B, SB, 2 RBI, RS
Matt Falvey: 2-for-3, RBI, RS
Matt Massaro: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, RS
Chris Flynn: (W, 7-2), 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 17 K
For The Opponents
Brennan Hyde: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 RS
Will Kleinhenz: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, RS
Brad Ellis: 2-for-4, 2B, RS
Johnny Knox: 1-for-4, 2 RS
Ben Weber: (L, 3-2), 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
How It Happened
The opening frame would see both teams threaten to get on the board. Nichols would get a one out double from Nathaniel Cormier (Sandisfield, Mass.) but it was just as bump in the road for Chris Flynn (Naugatuck, Conn.) as he fanned the other three men in the inning. Roger Williams would get a double of their own from Matt Massaro (Fairfield, Conn.) to leadoff the home half. Brandon Jenkins (East Bridgewater, Mass.) dumped a single into left two batters later and swiped second, but nothing came of it.
The hosts would break the tie in bottom of the second. Tommy Hobin (Madison, Conn.) leadoff by reaching on a throwing error by Cormier. Mike Masino (Bayville, N.J.) lined a single into left two batters later and Matt Falvey (Walpole, Mass.) followed with a perfectly placed bunt that he beat for a single to load the bases with one down. Massaro followed and chopped one to first that Brad Ellis (Morris, Conn.) elected to come home on. However, he hesitated just enough and Hobin beat the play at the plate to put the Hawks in front.
The Bison would have a response in the top of the fourth. Cormier leadoff with a bunt single but was erased on a fielder's choice. It did not make much of a difference as a couple batters later, Will Kleinhenz (Madison, Conn.) caught a barrel on a 1-0 pitch, hitting a home run to left center to push the guests in front, 2-1.
The Hawks grabbed the lead for good in the fifth. Tyler Cedeno (Maynard, Mass.) drew a free pass with one out before advancing the next 180 feet thanks to a couple of wild pitches. Jenkins followed with a rocket that found the centerfielder, but it was plenty deep enough to plate the run and tie the score, but the bats were not satisfied. Jack Morin (North Andover, Mass.) ripped a double down the line then Christopher Flynn (Randolph, N.J.) hit one into the second base hole, Johnny Knox (Jefferson, N.J.) got too it, but Flynn beat it out and the throw got away allowing Morin to score on the play. Hobin followed by dumping a single down the leftfield line, scoring the run and prompting a pitching change. Owen Sullivan (Biddeford, Maine) got out of further trouble, but the hosts had the 4-2 edge.
The Bison got a leadoff single in the sixth but a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play and another K extinguished the threat before the offense blew the game open in the bottom of the inning. A Masino single preceded a pair of bunts, one by Falvey for a hit and another by Massaro that was dropped by the first baseman and the bases were loaded. The first out was recorded ahead of Jenkins who singled off the pitcher's foot and everyone was safe on the play. A wild pitch ensued allowing all the runners to move up, including Falvey who scored then Flynn found the gap with a double to bring in both runs.
The squads traded runs in the seventh as Brennan Hyde (Tampa, Fla.) took the first pitch of the top of the inning over the leftfield fence for the second Nichols homer of the game, though RWU answered when Falvey executed a squeeze bunt in the home half. Chris Flynn would strikeout the side in the eighth and came storming off the mound screaming "they cannot touch me," and that was an accurate statement as the third out was his 17th and final K of the outing as he set a new program-record for strikeouts in a game.
Nichols would make things interesting against Connor Hewlette (Deer Park, N.Y.). They recorded five singles with a sacrifice fly mixed in, scoring a trio of runs and getting the tying run to the plate in the form of D.J. Caron (Branford, Conn.). However, he would roll over into a fielder's choice to short as the Hawks advanced with a 9-6 victory.
Coach's Corner
We played well today in all phases of the game! We executed on offense when we needed to and really pressured their defense with small ball. But the story today is what Chris Flynn did on the mound. You will win a lot of ballgames with performances like his. 17 K's, no walks or other freebees. That is a good recipe for a W, now onto the next one!
What's Next
Roger Williams moves on to face the second seed, Endicott College, on the road tomorrow afternoon. First pitch from Beverly, Mass. is scheduled for 3:30 PM.