CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Senior Michel Gajda (New Britain, Conn.) went 5-5 with a grand slam, four RBI, and three runs scored on Thursday, lifting the Mitchell College baseball teal over the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 16-8, in non-conference action at Fran O'Brien Field.

Gajda added a walk, while sophomore Michael Ficocelli (North Providence, R.I.) was 3-6 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. Freshman Braiden Alaimo (Enfield, Conn.) added a two-run bomb, and had a two run single.

The Engineers struck early with five runs in the bottom of the first, but after a scoreless second inning, the Mariners plated four runs in the third on two-run singles by junior Nicholas Bracale (East Haven, Conn.) and Braiden Alaimo. MIT countered with a run in the bottom half of the frame, but the Mariners went on to score three in the fifth, highlighted by two-run double off the bat of Chase Donahue, pushing Mitchell ahead, 7-6.

The Mariners added two more runs in the seventh on a two-run homer by Alaimo, and after MIT responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, Mitchell erupted for five runs in the eighth, with Michael Gajda blasting a grand slam to left field. Michael Ficocelli added a two-run homer in the top if the ninth for the Mariners, who secured their second win over MIT this season.

After senior Jadon Canelli (Northford, Conn.) allowed six runs (four earned) over the first three innings, sophomore Ethan Chavez (New London, Conn.) came out of the bullpen for an inning and earned the win.

The Mariners (9-12, 2-0 GNAC) will look to keep their six game winning streak alive when they visit Albertus Magnus College for a GNAC doubleheader on Saturday, March 29. The Engineers (5-10, 0-1 NEWMAC) jump back into conference play with a doubleheader at home against Salve Regina University on Friday, March 28.