WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (March 9, 2025) – The Western New England baseball team surrendered seven runs in the top of the first inning and would never be able to mount a comeback as the Ospreys of Stockton University would score the first 14 runs of the game and would defeat the Golden Bears by a final score of 17-5. 

Records:

• Western New England: 4-2
• Stockton University: 5-3

How it Happened:

Western New England starting pitcher would get in trouble right from the get-go and would not last long in the game, facing the full nine plus one in the top of the first before being pulled. Stockton would come up with two big extra base hits in the inning, both which produced two RBIs each. The Ospreys picked up eight hits and seven runs in the top of the first to stay well ahead of the Golden Bears. Ryan Montini would pick up a single to right center field in the bottom of the first while Jack Loftus would follow up with a single to shortstop but that would be all the hits the Golden Bears would get in the bottom of the first, trailing big, 7-0. Tanner Wall would sit Stockton down quickly in the top of the second while Western New England would go unconventionally in order in the second themselves, still trailing 7-0. 

Stockton exploded for four more runs in the top of the third inning on five hits off Troy Donohue and would take a commanding 11-0 lead on WNE. Western New England's bat would stay quiet through the third inning while Stockton would put up two more runs in the top of the fourth as Russell Halvorsen connected on his second career home run and first this season to give the Ospreys a 13-0 lead. Tyler Kornacki would double in the bottom of the fourth but would get nothing paired with it as the Golden Beas would continue to be down big after four innings. 

The Ospreys left three runners on base in the top of the fifth but added one run off Gabe Baber on a single to left field, giving Stockton a 14-0 lead. WNE would stop the bleeding in the home half of the fifth inning, scoring three runs on four hits. Greg Nivison would be hit by a pitch during pinch hit duty, getting a base runner on board for Western New England. Alex Grenier would follow with a single to right field while Bobby Black picked up his first career RBI on a single to center field. A passed ball would score another for WNE while Ryan Montini would reach on a fielder's choice to put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth for the Golden Bears. Stockton would erase those three runs for WNE with three more of their own in the top of the sixth inning, getting two hits off Eddie Murray. The Golden Bears would add two runs in the final inning of the game in the seven inning contest as Canon Marshall picked up an RBI triple to right field while Corey Kilroy would deliver a single of his own to left field but the two runs in the inning would not be enough as the Golden Beas came away with a 17-5 loss on their second day of the RussMatt Invitational. 

Inside the Lines:

• Four different Golden Bears came up with RBIs in the game, three of which did not start. Canon Marshall, Corey Kilroy and Bobby Black were successful at the dish one plate appearance each. 
• The WNE pitching would be roughed up on Sunday. Jacob Hobart lasted just 0.2 innings, giving up seven hits and seven runs while striking out just one. 
• Tanner Wall threw 1.1 innings, giving up a hit and no runs. Nathan Acabchuk was the only other Golden Bear out of seven to not give up a run on the afternoon.
• Russell Halvorsen led Stockton with a home run and three RBIs in the game. 
• Stockton has had WNE's number in their last two meetings, outscoring the blue and gold 24-6. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Weather pending, the Golden Bears will look to quickly turn the page with a game back at the Northeast Regional Parks against Benedictine University at 9:00 AM.