HOLYOKE, Mass. – Just like on Sunday, the Becker Hawks and Elms Blazers split a doubleheader in New England Collegiate Conference play.

THE BASICS

April 19, 2021

MacKenzie Stadium

Becker Hawks 5-9 (5-3 NECC)

Elms Blazers 5-7 (5-7 NECC)

GAME ONE: Becker 12 – Elms 11

A high-scoring game one between the Hawks and Blazers saw scoring in almost every inning as the Hawks held on for the one-run victory.

The bottom of the sixth became an important inning for the Hawks in the 12-11 victory, an inning that gave them the breathing room to hold on for the win.

With runners on the corners and two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Hawks freshman Ethan Perry (Dartmouth, Mass.) doubled home both runners, which gave the Hawks a 12-8 lead.

Elms came to bat in the top of the seventh and nearly completed the comeback before taking the one-run loss.

The Blazers had runners on the corners and two outs in the seventh when an RBI single by junior Tyler Galenski (Wilbraham, Mass.) and an RBI double by senior Nathan Ayala (Springfield, Mass.) cut the deficit to 12-10. Galeski later scored on a passed ball to get within one, but freshman Justin Miller (Prospect, Conn.) flew out to center field to end the game.

The Hawks scored four times in the first inning with the help of an RBI single by Perry, a sacrifice fly, an RBI double by sophomore Niko Mokanos (Montvale, N.J.), and an error on the Blazers.

Becker also scored four times in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run double by junior Andrew Bumpus (Carver, Mass.), an RBI double by senior Jose Martinez (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), and an RBI single by senior Kevin Santiago (New Bedford, Mass.).

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For Becker, Perry finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Mokanos went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and runs scored. Freshman Silas Thomas (Sequim, Wash.) was 3-for-4, all singles.

For Elms, Ayala, and freshmen AJ Cook (Mendon, Mass.), and Seamus Higgins (Rutland, Mass.) all finished 3-for-5. Ayala had three RBI while Cook had four runs scored.

Winning Pitcher: Joey Rego (1-1)

Losing Pitcher: Dominick Whalen (0-3)

Save: Zayvier Hartman (1)

GAME TWO: Elms 11 – Becker 8

In the second game of the evening, the Blazers exploded for eight runs in the top of the fourth to help them to the 11-8 victory.

Tied 3-3 entering the top of the fourth, Ayala got the scoring going with a two-run double that gave the Blazers a 5-3 edge. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, an RBI single by junior Austin Roy (Cromwell, Conn.) and a hit batter improved the lead to 7-3.

Cook stepped in and delivered in the fourth with a two-run double, giving the Blazers a 9-3 lead. The eight-run inning came to an end on back-to-back RBI singles by Higgins and Galenski, helping Elms to an 11-3 edge.

Becker fought back with four runs in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of some Blazers miscues to cut the deficit to 11-7. Thomas did have an RBI single in the fourth.

The game would remain 11-7 until the bottom of the seventh, where another Blazers error would cost them a run, as Becker now trailed 11-8. But with the bases loaded, the Blazers managed to get the final out on a fly ball to center field, splitting Monday's doubleheader in NECC play.

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For Elms, Ayala was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Cook finished 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI and three runs scored.

For Becker, Thomas went 3-for-3, all singles, with an RBI and a run scored. Freshman Anthony Conforti (Peabody, Mass.) was 1-for-3 with two RBI.

Winning Pitcher: Josh Guilmartin (2-1)

Losing Pitcher: Payton Musco (0-1)