WANSAW K'S 17 IN DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP OF SALEM CC

Michael Wansaw was masterful in Game 1 and Middlesex banged out 16 runs in Game 2 as the Colts picked up a key doubleheader sweep of Salem CC in a home Region 19 matchup.

Middlesex took Game 1, 5-2 and topped the Mighty Oaks 16-8 in Game 2.

The Colts are now 17-12 on the season while Salem fell to 8-18.

The story of Game 1 was Wansaw, who struck out 17 batters in seven innings of work to pick up his third win of the season. Wansaw, who has struck out more batters than innings pitched in each of his seven outings this season, leads the country across all divisions in strikeouts per nine innings with 16.25 (minimum 20 IP).

Middlesex jumped out on Salem early in Game 1, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. The Colts added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-0 lead. With Wansaw dealing, Middlesex carried that lead into the sixth, when the Mighty Oaks were finally able to break through for two runs to make the score 5-2.

Middlesex only had one hit in the game, an RBI double by Brett Lukachyk (Freshman/Woodbridge, NJ), who also drove home a run with a sacrifice fly. The Colts took advantage of nine Salem walks.

Wansaw scattered five hits and walked just one to go along with his 17 strikeouts.

In Game 2, it was apparent from the start that Middlesex wouldn't struggle at the plate this game. The Colts erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the first after falling behind 3-0 in the top of the frame. Middlesex carried an 11-3 lead into the fifth, but the Mighty Oaks made a game of it, albeit briefly, by scoring five runs in the top of the inning to get to within 11-8.

However, Middlesex answered with five runs of their own to get to 16-8, which ultimately would be the final score.

Angel Deaza (Freshman/Elizabeth, NJ) was one of two Colts who had multi-hit games. The leadoff batter went 2-2 with a triple, two runs and an RBI. Matthew Troche (Sophomore/Fords, NJ) went 2-4 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs.

Joshua Rodriguez (Freshman/North Brunswick, NJ) went 1-3 with a run and two RBIs and his first collegiate home run.

Coming off a no-hitter against Northampton, Roberto Gonzalez (Sophomore/Perth Amboy, NJ) worked in and out of trouble all game to pick up the win. He went 4.2 innings and allowed four earned runs.

Michael Canavesio (Freshman/Middlesex, NJ) and Sal Della Fave (Freshman/Edison, NJ) worked the final 2.1 innings without allowing a hit to seal the win.

Middlesex is scheduled to return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Salem in search of a three-game sweep of the Mighty Oaks. The single, nine-inning game is scheduled to start at 3:30PM.