College of St. Joseph Fighting Saints baseball went on the road to Lynn, Mass., to play Fisher College in a five-game set that began on April 8. They were able to finish on Sunday with a five-game sweep, extending the current winning streak to 11. They are now 27-9 overall on the season, helping to earn them the No. 1 ranking in the national USCAA Baseball Coaches Poll for the second week. Here is a look at how the each of the games played out:
April 8
Alan Madsen got the start in game one going all nine innings while striking out seven batters and allowing no earned runs in a 9-4 Saints win. Derek Edge had three hits in the game, and Nestor Velazquez had a bases-loaded triple to help the cause.
April 9
In the second game the Saints’ offense came out to play as they scored 14 runs while Bill Brancatella went the distance as well, striking out 14, as CSJ won 14-1. Kevin Rodriguez had three hits, while Nestor Velazquez and Colin McLeod had two. Justin Lemanski added four RBIs and a double as well.
The third game was a tight one as the Saints were able to hold on to a 2-1 victory. Nick Burch threw a complete game with 14 strikeouts as he was dominant for all seven of his innings. Teddy Mercado had a single in the fourth to drive in two runs, which would be just enough for the win.
April 10
In the fourth game the Saints had an early lead, but Fisher battled back to take a 8-7 lead going into the eighth inning. With two outs and Nick Rodriguez on second base, Lemanski singled into left field as Rodriguez scored to tie the game up 8-8. In the top of the 11th, Colin McLeod hit a sharp line-drive up the middle to score the go ahead run as Luis Ramos came out of the pen for the last four innings and was able to hold Fisher scoreless for the 9-8 victory.
In the series finale Jovan Henriquez went five strong innings allowing no runs and just three hits. The Saints got nine runs on nine hits as they went on to win 9-2. Kevin Rodriguez homered in the game, while Connor Martin, Teddy Mercado and Chris Doyle each added two hits.
