SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 26, 2023) – The Western New England baseball team had no problems running past the visiting Bulldogs of Dean College, defeating Dean 27-2 as 19 different Golden Bears would see plate appearances while six took the ball on the mound as the Golden Bears hit three home runs in the win. 

Records:

• Western New England: 21-8-2
• Dean College: 8-27

How it Happened:

Eddie Murray got the start for Western New England as the Golden Bears starter went the first three innings of the contest, giving up just one hit and a walk while striking out two Bulldogs. WNE would use their early scoring to gain control of the game and never look back. Paul Villecco led off the top of the first with a single while Sean Jamieson would quickly punch in two runs, giving WNE a quick 2-0 lead. Henry Schowerer would be hit by a pitch with the bases loaded whule Vincent Caccavale would reach on a fielder's choice as the Golden Bears would take a 4-0 lead after one inning of play. WNE would scratch across two runs in the bottom of the second inning after CJ Willis would walk while Paul Villecco would score on a throwing error by the Bulldogs catcher. Cody Waterbury would pick up an RBI double to left field as Western New England took a 6-0 lead after two innings. 

The Golden Bears would blow open the game in the bottom of the third inning, grabbing 12 runs on seven hits to take a commanding 19-0 lead. In the inning, RBIs would come from Paul Villecco (walk), CJ Willis (2 RBI double), Sean Jamieson (2 RBI single), Vincent Caccavale (RBI single), John Bova (RBI single), and again RBIs from Paul Villecco (3 Run Home Run), and CJ Willis (Solo Home Run) as the Golden Bears would quickly put the game out of reach. After Tyler Achatz would replace Murray on the hill, Dean would collect a single through the left side of the diamond, but a 6-4-3 double play would end the small rally from Dean as Western New England would get right back to the bats in the bottom of the fourth. In the inning, Henry Schowerer would double down the left field line, scoring one, pinch hitter Ryan Snow would single up the middle, scoring two, defensive replacement Zach Snow would double to right field, scoring one, Trey Young would single to right field, scoring one, and Ryan Montini would single to right field, scoring the last run of six in the inning as WNE would add to their lead, taking a 24-0 lead after four innings of play. 

Ryan Snow would add three more, the last three runs of the ballgame for the Golden Bears, on a three-run moon shot to left field, as Western New England would lead 27-0. Dean would plate one run each in the seventh inning and ninth inning, though the bats for Western New England would be too hot, as WNE would collect the 27-2 win, collecting their second 27 run effort of the season. 

Eddie Murray, Tyler Achatz, Chris Zampino, Liam Wallace, Todd Grammatico, and Aidan Gowaski would combine on the hill for nine innings, giving up just seven hits and two runs while walking four and striking out four Bulldogs. 

Inside the Numbers:

• 14 Golden Bears collected at least one hit in the 22-hit effort from the blue and gold on the afternoon. 
• Andrew Florek, Johnny Ferrentino, and Billy McGuire all made their WNE debuts on the afternoon, contributing for the Golden Bears on the offensive and defensive ends. 
• Paul Villecco led Western New England with three hits in three plate attempts, scoring five runs and knocking in four RBIs. 
• CJ Willis hit home run number ten of the season, scoring four times while collecting three RBIs. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE meets Brandeis University on Thursday, April 27 at 7:00 PM.