MIDDLESEX SPLITS DOUBLEHEADERS VS. BERGEN AND SALEM IN WEEKEND BASEBALL ACTION
Middlesex College split doubleheaders with Bergen CC and Salem CC as the Colts hosted two doubleheaders over the weekend.
Middlesex (23-12) lost Game 1 against Bergen, 3-2 before bouncing back to take the nightcap 4-1. Against Salem, the Colts romped to a 17-5 victory in Game 1 before falling 7-4 in Game 2.
Against Bergen (11-10), the Colts held a 2-1 lead into the fifth before Begren struck to take the lead. With two outs and nobody on, theBulldogs drew a walk and then connected for a two-run homer, which would provide the difference. Middlesex stranded three runners in scoring position the next two innings before going down in order in the seventh.
The Colts runs came in the third when Jordan Brown (Freshman/Piscataway, NJ) scored on a wild pitch and in the fourth when Braden Ramirez (Freshman, Middlesex, NJ) singled home Christian Petrillo (Freshman/North Brunswick, NJ), who hit a one-out double.
Middlesex had baserunners in each of the first six innings on six hits and four walks, but left nine runners on base. Petrillo went 4-4 with a double to lead the way. Shayne Salvesen (Freshman/Old Bridge, NJ) was the tough-lock loser in Game 1. He pitched a complete game while allowing just four hits with eight strikeouts.
The Colts bounced back in the second game in dramatic fashion when Nicholas Loniewski (Freshman/South Plainfield, NJ) broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth inning with a two-out, three-run homer to give the Colts a 4-1 win.
Middlesex scored first when Tyler Johnson (Freshman/Bayonne, NJ) singled leading off the third and came around to score on an error. The Bulldogs tied the game in the fifth on a solo home run and were able to put runners on base in each of the next three innings, but Middlesex starter Patrick Kannaley (Sophomore/Middlesex, NJ) was able to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard, setting the stage for Loniewski's heroics.
Petrillo led off the ninth with a double, but remained there as the next two batters popped out. Brown then drew a walk to bring up Loniewski with runners at first and second. Loniewski connected for a no-doubt home run, his second on the season, to give the Colts their decisive advantage.
Petrillo had another great day at the plate, going 3-4 with two doubles and a run. The centerfielder went 7-8 with three doubles on the afternoon.
Kannaley was outstanding on the mound once again, pitching a nine-inning complete game. He allowed just three hits and one walk while giving up just one earned run.
The Colts turned right around for a doubleheader with Salem (15-18) the next day and their bats were hot from the start.
Middlesex plated three runs in the first and built an 11-3 lead through five. If there was any doubt about the outcome at that point, the Colts erased it by scoring six more runs in the sixth.
Middlesex took advantage of 12 walks by Salem and added nine hits as well.
Ramirez had an incredible game, going 3-4 with a double, home run, two runs scored and seven RBIs. Colby Chippendale (Freshman/North Port, FL) went 3-3 with two runs, a double and RBI and Johnson was 2-2 with three runs scored, three RBIs and a home run.
Gage Bendix (Freshman/Piscataway, NJ) picked up the win, pitching six innings while allowing four runs on four hits and five strikeouts. Isaiah Figueroa (Freshman/Old Bridge, NJ) closed out the game on the mound for the Colts.
Game 2 looked like it would be a close matchup until the Mighty Oaks broke open a 2-1 game with five runs in the fourth inning.
Middlesex faced a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the third when Born walked with two outs and was doubled home by Petrillo. However, Salem answered in the top of the fourth when six of the first seven batters of the inning reached base.
Middlesex put together a rally in the seventh, but the six-run deficit proved too steep.
The Colts had six hits in Game 2 with Born going 1-2 with two runs, an RBI and a walk.
Middlesex is scheduled to be back in action on Tuesday when they host Northampton CC for a single game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30.