By Justin Lemanski
Fighting Saints baseball had a busy week as they played eight games, coming out with a 8-1 record as they draw closer to the YSCC conference tournament and USCAA national tournament. The Saints are currently hold the number eight spot in the USCAA poll for a bid into the national tournament, where the top ten teams in the nation will receive a spot. The Lady Saints also played six games over the week, coming out with a 2-4 record. With just two games left on the schedule against Lyndon State, the Lady Saints will be looking to end their season strong heading into their own YSCC conference tournament.
April 22
The Fighting Saints baseball team took on Fisher College and walked away with a 13-10 in an offensive battle. The Saints jumped out to an early 10-3 lead, but Fisher battled back in the fifth inning with five runs to cut the lead to 10-8. The Saints would go on to add three more runs and to win the game. Alan Madsen pitched the last four innings, giving up no earned runs while striking out four and getting the win.
April 23
Saints baseball took on Middlebury College and lost by a score of 4-2. Derek Osborne toed the rubber for the Saints and pitched a complete game only giving up four earned runs on eight hits. The Saints were down 3-0 early as the offense was able to score runs in the second and fourth innings, but were held scoreless and were unable to complete the comeback.
April 24
The baseball team matched up against Central Penn College in a doubleheader and was able to come out with a sweep by scores of 10-0 and 13-0. Ryan Cummings pitched the first game going six innings and giving up just 3 hits while collecting nine strikeouts. Connor Martin led the Saints with two home runs and 3 RBI’s, while Jayson Osborne added another home run as well. In the second game, Brett Patterson threw a no-hitter while striking out six as the Saints offense again exploded for 13 runs on 12 hits. Justin Lemanski lead the Saints with 2 hits and 3 runs scored, while Nick Rodriguez was able to add 2 hits of his own. The Lady Saints matched up against Johnson State in a doubleheader, but were unable to come out with a win, losing by scores of 9-1 and 12-4.
April 25
The Saints baseball team played in a doubleheader against Central Penn and NHTI. The Saints won both games by scores of 7-2 and 10-0. The Saints offense kept rolling with 19 hits on the day as the pitching provided yet again a strong set of performances. The Lady Saints matched up against Fisher College in a doubleheader and came out with a 1-1 record. They took the win in the first game by score of 10-5. Jenna Crowley pitched a complete game and got the win as Sabrina Akrouk lead the offense with 2 hits and 3 RBI’s. The Lady Saints were unable to come out with a win in the second game as they lost by just one run, 5-4.
April 26
The Saints baseball played in a doubleheader against rival conference opponent Southern Maine CC. The Saints were able to get the sweep and win by scores of 8-7 and 7-2. The first game went back and forth with five lead changes that eventually ended in a walk-off win by the Saints. Connor Martin ended the game with a hit up the middle that was stopped by Southern Maine’s second baseman with a diving attempt, but the throw was just late as Martin was able to get down the line and was called safe. The Saints went on to win the second game 7-2, as Bill Brancatella threw a complete game giving up just two runs as the offense supported him with seven. The Lady Saints also matched up against Southern Maine CC and split their two-game set, losing the first game 7-2, but winning the second 12-4. In the second game the Saints offense caught fire as they had 17 total hits; Allison Hinton, Jenna Crowley, and Krysta Konderwich had 3 hits each.
