Thoener, Sances Deliver Game One Win in MASCAC Split

Six and a third solid innings of relief by Massachusetts Maritime Academy (12-10, 5-1 MASCAC) freshman Colin Thoener (Foxbrough, Mass.) and a pinch hit single off the bat of junior Paul Sances (Middleborough, Mass.) combined for a twelve inning 4-3 victory for the Buccaneers on Saturday at Commodore Hendy Field in the first of a Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference twinbill with the Trailblazers of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (9-9-1, 2-3-1 MASCAC). The visitors claimed a 2-1 win in the nightcap behind a solid pitching performance from junior lefthander Bobby New (Pittsfield, Mass.) aided by a pair of unearned runs.

MCLA struck first in the opening game posting a run in the top of the third when sophomore Ben Durland (Paxton, Mass.) scored on a throwing error. The Buccaneers answered in the bottom of the frame putting up three runs, the first coming when senior Connor Kennedy (West Barnstable, Mass.) hit a leadoff tripled and scored on a wild pitch. A two run RBI base hit by junior Robert Dembitzki (North Dartmouth, Mass.) later plated Logan Sullo (Achushnet, Mass.), who had reached on a walk and senior Billy Keane (Braintree, Mass.) who reached after being hit by a pitch.

Massachusetts Maritime starter Mason Ashburn (East Freetown, Mass.) went five and two-thirds frames giving up a double in the top of the fifth to MCLA junior shortstop Jeff Blink (Albany, N.Y.) that plated a pair of runs to knot the contest at 3-3.

Thoener got the one batter he faced in the sixth after taking over on the mound for Ashburn and then held the Trailblazers to just a pair of hits the rest of the way while striking out six and earning the win.

MCLA senior starter Liam Nolan (Pittsfield Mass.) went eight innings striking out six before turning the ball over to freshman Brandon Condon (Stamford, VT) who held the Buccaneers in check until putting runners on second and third with no outs in the twelfth. The Trailblazers turned to sophomore right hander Brody Farnum (Bennington, VT) who registered the first out of the inning before surrendering a pinch hit base hit down the third base line to Sances that scored sophomore designated hitter Ethan O'Hare (Marshfield, Mass.) with the game winner, handing Farnum the loss.

Freshman right hander John Teehan (Hyde Park, Mass.) got the ball for the Buccaneers in game two giving up a pair of unearned runs over five frames in taking the loss. Freshman Wyatt Major (Mattapoisett, Mass.) pitch the final two innings holding the Trailblazers scoreless.

MCLA's Bobby New pitched a complete game win in the nightcap holding the Buccaneers to just three hits, while striking out five.

The Buccaneers travel to Framingham State University on Monday for a doubleheader with the Rams, while MCLA will host Bridgewater State University on Monday at noon.  

Dan Crowley, Sports Information Assistant