Rindge, N.H. – Senior southpaw Mark Kuzma (Waverly, N.Y./Waverly) struck out 11 batters and junior catcher Brian Stinson (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) scored three runs, including the game-winner, to lead the #20/21-ranked Le Moyne College baseball team to a 10-4 win over New Haven in an elimination game in the Northeast-10 Conference Baseball Championships at Franklin Pierce's Pappas Field.
Le Moyne (37-13-1) advances in the loser's half of the bracket and will take on the loser of the game between Franklin Pierce and Saint Anselm on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at Saint Anselm's Sullivan Park. The Ravens and Hawks meet at 12:00 p.m. in the winner's bracket final.
After a scoreless first inning, the teams traded runs in the second frame. Third baseman Brendon Buckley led off the top of the inning for the Chargers and came around to score on a two-out double to left by center fielder Brendan O'Reilly. In the bottom half, junior first baseman Paul Speicher (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) drew a walk to open the frame, but was retired at second as Stinson reached on a fielder's choice. After a single by redshirt junior designated hitter Matthew Ciraco (White Plains, N.Y./Perkiomen School) and a strikeout, Ciraco stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher, which allowed Stinson to score the tying run.
New Haven regained the lead in the top of the third inning. Shortstop Ryan Brockett singled to right center with one out and scored on a double to right center by second baseman Andrew Johnson.
Le Moyne evened the score at two apiece with a run on one hit and a New Haven error in the bottom of the fifth inning. Senior center fielder Brett Botsford (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) singled to third base with one out and advanced to second on a throwing error by the third baseman. On a ground out, Botsford raced home to tie the score.
The Dolphins took the lead with three runs on just one hit and a New Haven error in the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore left fielder Pat Wiese (Fayetteville, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) walked with one out, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. After Speicher walked, he moved to second and Wiese scored on a wild pitch. Following a walk by Stinson, Ciraco double to left field to drive in Speicher and move Stinson to third. Stinson was then able to score the final run of the inning on the third wild pitch of the inning.
Le Moyne extended its lead to 10-2 with five runs on six hits and a New Haven error in the seventh inning. Junior right fielder Zack Wiley (Toluca Woods, Calif./Crespi) led off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a single up the middle by senior third baseman Matt Marra (Brewerton, N.Y./Central Square). After a sacrifice bunt moved Wiley and Marra up a base, Wiese doubled to left center to drive in Wiley and Marra. Two batters later, Stinson singled to left center to knock in Wiese. Ciraco followed with a single through the left side, while junior second baseman Vincent Redmond (Ithaca, N.Y./Lansing/Garrett College) then reached on a throwing error by the third baseman to load the bases. Botsford followed with a single to drive in Stinson, while Ciraco scored Le Moyne's final run on a walk by Wiley.
New Haven tallied a pair of runs without getting a hit in the ninth inning. Pinch-hitter Jordan Kershaw was hit by a pitch to open the frame and moved to second as right fielder Stephen Clout reached on a fielding error by the third baseman. After a pair of fly outs around a walk by Brockett that load the bases, Buckley reached on an error by the second baseman that allowed Kershaw to score. Catcher Jason Lewicki was then hit by a pitch that forced in Clout.
Kuzma earned his sixth win and fifth straight after striking out 11 batters over seven innings on the mound, while yielding two runs on seven hits. Taylor Candage suffered the loss out of the bullpen after giving up four runs (three earned) on two hits and three walks over two innings pitched.
