Ephs edge MIT, 5-4
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A steady rain reduced Saturday’s
scheduled doubleheader between MIT and Williams to a single-game
affair. The Ephs scored three runs in their final at bat to rally
past the Engineers in the afternoon’s only tilt, 5-4.
Despite the soggy conditions, the non-conference battle was well
played. Williams (23-10) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening
frame behind RBI singles by Max Pinto and Al Matthews. MIT (18-17)
responded with a run in the second and another score in the third.
DeRon Brown’s infield hit drove home Tech’s first run
while Steven Nunez picked up an RBI with a double to right
center.
In the home half of the sixth, the Engineers moved in front on a
sacrifice fly by rookie William Blackman. Nunez, who enjoyed a
great day at the dish, keyed the go-ahead score by leading off the
inning with a double to right field.
In the top of the seventh, pinch hitter Pat Barren smoked a
grounder down the third-base line and legged out the throw for an
infield hit. After a sacrifice bunt, Taylor Mikell doubled to deep
center to plate the equalizer while Robin Allemand tripled to
center two batters later to give Williams the lead. Adding the
needed insurance, Matthews doubled to center to plate Allemand.
Trailing 5-3, the Cardinal and Gray made it interesting after
loading the bases with no outs. Another infield knock by Brown
ignited the attack. With one out, Thomas Phillips singled to second
base as MIT reduced the deficit to one. Tom Hester, who entered in
relief to begin the seventh, secured the final two outs through the
air to collect the save and seal a win for the Ephs.
Ben Horwitz (3-2) earned the win for Williams after pitching six
innings while scattering seven hits and three earned runs. Freshman
Ryne Barry (5-1) suffered the first loss of his college career,
although he looked strong for most of the day. Barry yielded five
runs and nine hits with three strikeouts.
Matthews finished 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI to pace the
Ephs’ offense, while Mikell also reached base three times on
2-of-3 hitting with an RBI and two runs scored.
Nunez was 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles and an RBI in a
losing effort for the Engineers. Phillips also drove home a run
while closing 2-for-4 with a run.
