Monday, April 22, 2013

James Sullivan Records 100th Hit in Last Game of Season

Sunday April 21, 2013 - Malden, MA.  Junior James Sullivan (Medfield, MA) fittingly recorded his 100th career hit on a bunt down the third base line in the 6th inning of Emerson's final game of the 2013 season.  Sully joins Peter Karl, Geoff Lopes, and Peter Maltzan to become the 4th Emerson baseball player to reach the 100 hit mark.

Sullivan had a great Junior year, leading the team in hits, runs scored, and stolen bases, and only striking out 6 times in 108 plate appearances.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Lions Still in the Playoff Hunt


Although the 1-11 GNAC record puts Emerson in the basement right now, a sweep of their remaining 4 conference games this weekend could vault them three spots and sneak them into the postseason.  After a non-conference Friday night game against Colby-Sawyer, the Lions head into the final weekend of the regular season.  On Saturday evening at 6:00PM, Emerson will square off against Lasell College at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA.  The Lions have had success against Lasell in the past, including a win against the Lasers in the 2009 playoffs -- the only postseason victory in Emerson Baseball history. 

On Sunday, Emerson will host Albertus Magnus at Maplewood Field in Malden, MA in a twin bill starting at noon.  If Albertus loses two to Suffolk University on Saturday, and Emerson can sweep Lasell, then Sunday will determine the last playoff spot.  If the Lions can sweep the Falcons, each team will have 5 conference wins, with Emerson having the head to head tie breaker and getting the 6th and final playoff spot.  The must-wins begin at 6pm on Saturday; hope to see you there.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Back to Back Tough Luck Losses for Lions' Pitchers

Nick Kelly went nine strong innings on Saturday afternoon against Suffolk University (13-2) but would get the no decision in a 10 inning loss.  After allowing just one unearned run through the first 6 innings, Kelly gave up a lead off double in the top of the 7th.  With the tying run on second base, Kelly got the Suffolk DH JC Collette to fly out to center for the first out.  The next batter, third baseman Mike Muse, singled up the middle to tie the game.  Kelly quickly settled back down and retired the next two batters in order to keep the score tied at two. 

In the bottom of the 7th, freshman Jim Cain worked a walk and then stole second base.  Unfortunately, Suffolk reliever Frank Tierney would bear down and strike out the next three Lions hitters.  After 1-2-3 innings in both halves of the 8th, Kelly would allow two singles in the top of the ninth before recording a huge strikeout followed by a pop out to end the threat.  In the bottom of the 9th, Zach Dean would work a two out walk and advance to second on a wild pitch, and then to third on an infield single by Cal Ciarcia, but both runners would be stranded as Tierney came up with another big strike out to end the inning.

Junior Andy Brightman was tasked with replacing Kelly and facing the top of the Suffolk order to start the 10th.  He surrendered two runs on a walk and a couple singles, and Tierney made the 4-2 lead hold up.  Kelly went nine innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

On Tuesday, Freshman Jack Capotorto continued his streak of great outings in a complete game 4-1 loss at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  In eight innings, he allowed just two earned runs on six hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.  Unfortunately, the Emerson bats never came alive, as the Lions were held to one run on five hits.  For the second start in a row, Capotorto was pegged with the tough luck loss in a great performance.  In his last four outings, Jack has thrown 18.2 innings, allowing five earned runs, striking out seven and only walking one batter.

The pitching is certainly coming around; now the offense needs to step it up and back the staff up.  The Lions continue GNAC play this evening in Standish, ME as Emerson takes on St. Josephs College (ranked 21st in the nation) in a double header beginning at 4:15PM.