SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 28, 2024) The Western New England baseball team was aided by a four RBI afternoon from Paul Villecco, while Matt Lauria helped the Golden Bears with six strong innings on the hill as the Golden Bears blew by the Blue Jays of the University of Saint Joseph's (Conn.) on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Blue Jays 9-0.

Records:

• Western New England: 19-15
• University of Saint Joseph's (Conn.): 16-20-1

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears saw Matt Lauria start the top of the first inning with a near-clean inning, allowing just one hit in the top of the inning, though would get a strikeout looking to end the inning. The Golden Bears would strike for two runs in the bottom of the first after Jack Loftus would walk to the plate with the bases loaded and bounce into a fielder's choice, though the relay toss to first, in an attempt to turn a double play, would be offline, along with John Bova scoring from second, giving the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead. The Golden Bears would run into trouble to end the inning after USJ's left fielder Nick Hutson would double up Loftus at second after tracking down a deep fly ball from Kohtaro Shimada.

The Blue Jays would get two runners on with one out in the top of the second inning, getting back-to-back walks issued by Lauria, though the junior would work out of the jam, getting two ground balls to get out of the inning unscathed. Western New England would again get in trouble in the top of the third inning after USJ would come away with two singles, though would strand the bases loaded after Trey Young would scoop a grounder and touch his own base to get the force out and the Golden Bears out of the inning.

Western New England would come around with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, all coming on one swing of the bat. Trey Young started off the bottom of the fourth with a walk, while Henry Schowerer would single to right field, sending the top of the order to the plate, with Paul Villecco sending the ball over the right field fence, giving the Golden Bears a 6-0 lead. WNE would grab three runs and two hits in the inning. Matt Lauria retired the Blue Jays in order in the top of the fifth, while the Golden Bears would reward their starter again with two more runs. Aaron Cole and Trey Young would record singles, while the bases would be loaded for Paul Villecco, who earned an RBI the hard way, getting hit by a pitch. John Bova would fly out to center field to record the second out of the inning, though a sacrifice fly would bring in the second run of the inning, giving Western New England an 8-0 lead after five innings.

Matt Lauria's day would end after the top of the sixth inning, after the Blue Jays would leave two runners on base though would not score. The junior would go the first six for WNE, giving up five hits and no runs while striking out five. The Golden Bears would tack on a run in the bottom of the seventh when Sean Jamieson drove in Henry Schowerer, giving the Golden Bears a 9-0 lead. The trio of Robert Zawacki, Cannon Marshall, and Aaron Cole would shut the door on hopes for the Blue Jays as the three relief pitchers combined to throw three innings, giving up just one hit and striking out four as the Golden Bears would come away with a
nine-run victory over USJ.

Inside the Lines:

• Offensively, Paul Villecco collected two hits for Wester New England while driving in four. The graduate student recorded a three-run home run to lift WNE to victory.
• Aaron Cole collected two hits at the plate for the Golden Bears.
• Matt Lauria shined in his first start since March 30, giving up no runs for the first time in seven outings this season, striking out six Bleu Jays.
• Western New England walked eight times in the game to continue to be a top-five team in the nation in walks.
• This is the first meeting between the two teams all-time. The University of Saint Joseph's is in its first season as a varsity sport.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will look ahead to Tuesday, April 30, for a 3:30 PM first pitch with Nichols College in a massive CCC contest on the road.