HOLYOKE, Mass. (April 12, 2023) – The Western New England baseball team, powered by three hits from Sean Jamieson, powered past the hosting Blazers of Elms College from Mackenzie Stadium in non-conference action on Wednesday evening, winning 7-4. 

Records:

• Western New England: 16-5-1
• Elms College: 15-7

Pitching Records:
W: Matt Lauria: 3-2

 L: Ross Tine: 1-1

How it Happened:

The home team got off to a 1-0 start in the bottom of the first inning after leadoff hitter AJ Cook led off with a triple for the Blazers and was quickly brought home on a sacrifice fly, giving Elms a quick lead. The Blazers would extend upon their lead in the bottom of the third inning after a run would score on an error, giving Elms a 2-0 lead. Western New England would plate their first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning on a leadoff home run to right field by Sean Jamieson, who connects on his second home run of the season, putting the first run of the game on the board for the blue and gold. 

Western New England would come around in the top of the fifth inning to score two runs after CJ Willis ripped a two RBI single, scoring John Bova and Aaron Cole after both Bova and Cole would reach on a double and single to put two quick runners aboard in the inning for the Golden Bears. Elms would take exception to WNE taking the lead as the Blazers would respond with two of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning on a hit by pitch and wild pitch to score a pair to re-take the lead. Western New England would even the score again in the top of the sixth inning after the bases would fill after Jake Gerraughty walked, Kohtaro Shimada walked and Aaron Cole would walk, while Gerraughty would score on a passed ball to even the score at four. 

WNE baseball would see Sean Jamieson come through for another RBI in the seventh inning, taking their second lead of the game. Paul Villecco would reach on a single while Jamieson would use a two out pitch to score Villecco, giving WNE a 5-4 lead. The Golden Bears would put the game away in the ninth after Jack Loftus singled, scoring Cody Waterbury while Jake Gerraughty would bounce out, scoring Jamieson, giving WNE a 7-4 lead. After WNE SP Matt Lauria went the first five innings giving up four hits and four runs while striking out six, the Golden Bears bullpen would shut down the Blazers, as Sean Hogan (2 IP), Troy Donohue (1 IP) and Andew Melone (1 IP) would combine to give up just two hits while striking out two Blazers to close out the win for the Golden Bears by a final score of 7-4. 

Around the Horn:

• Sean Jamieson went 3/5 at the plate scoring two runs while picking up two RBIs. 
• Aaron Cole would deliver two hits and an RBI for the blue and gold. 
• The WNE bullpen allowed just two hits over our innings of work while striking out two. 
• WNE has now won four straight on the season. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears return to conference play on Saturday, April 15 when Salve Regina University visits Springfield in a crucial CCC doubleheader beginning at 12:00 PM.