Suffolk Claws Past Wildcats 2-1 in 10 innings to Open GNAC Playoffs

The Suffolk University Baseball team outlasted the Johnson & Wales University Wildcats 2-1 in 10 innings in a wild affair to start the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) double elimination championship tournament on Thursday evening at Quincy's Adams Field.

Freshman Matt Brenner (Eliot, Me.) knocked in the game winning run in the 10thinning as top-seeded Suffolk advances into the winner's bracket heading into Saturday.

Johnson & Wales threatened right out of the gates when senior Alex Pezzuto (Hastings, N.Y.) would double to left to lead off the game. Junior Kory Ferullo (Rochester, N.H.) would then reach base safely on a bunt base hit to give the Wildcats runners on the corners and nobody out. Freshman starter Tim Conroy(Arlington, Mass.) worked his way out of the jam as freshman Carlos Sanabria (Pawtucket, R.I.) would line out to first for the double play as Suffolk got a groundball following to end the inning.

Johnson & Wales sophomore starter Jake Maarchesseault (Wyoming, R.I.) would cruise through the middle innings as he set down nine of 10 Suffolk hitters in arrow from the end of the second through the fifth.

Suffolk would finally get on the board in the bottom half of the sixth inning as junior Justin Knight (Hackettstown, N.J.) led the inning off with a hit by pitch. Senior Mac Jacobson (Norfolk, Mass.) would then advance him to second on a sacrifice bunt before Brenner's first single of the evening would give Suffolk runners on the corners and one down. Senior Jake Cintolo (Wrentham, Mass.) would plate the game's first run on a sacrifice fly to right field for the 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats would score their lone run of the game in the top of the eighth inning. Sophomore Tom Elkow (Morganville, N.J.) would single through the left side of the infield before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Brandon Cesino (North Scituate, R.I.). With one down and a runner in scoring position Suffolk would summon senior Jhonneris Mendez (Boston, Mass.) from the bullpen. Sophomore Mark Kerwin (Smithfield, R.I.) would welcome him with a base hit back up the middle to plate Elkow to even the game at 1-1.

Suffolk would threaten in the bottom of the ninth as senior Devan Jones (Roslindale, Mass.) singled with two outs chasing Marchessault from the game in favor of senior Aldo Morales (Havana, Cuba) for the lefty on lefty matchup. Senior Mike Muse (Milton, Mass.) would hit a gap shot to right center to bring Jones all the way around from first base but the relay from senior firstbaseman Jack Hocking (Hanover, Mass.) was in time to record the out at home and send the game into extra innings.

Hocking would lead the tenth off with a base hit before a walk to Cesino would pose a threat. Suffolk would get out of the jam on a baserunning blunder as Mendez picked up the second out of the inning on a strikeout with the count full and both runners in motion. After the strikeout both runners froze in between bases as the throw from Brenner to second was too late but Cesino was caught up between first and second for the final out of the inning.

Sophomore Jon Lapolla (Providence, R.I.) would lead the bottom of the tenth off with his second single of the contest to start the inning off for Suffolk. Sophomore Rob Marks (Revere, Mass.) would then lay down the sacrifice to move him up into scoring position. After a walk to Knight, Morales would then record the second out of the inning on a punch out. Brenner would then deliver the game winning single as Suffolk walked off with the victory.
Conroy went 7 1/3 innings on the mound in the no-decision. He allowed six hits and one run while striking out a pair.

Mendez picked up his first victory of the season as he struck out five in 2 2/3 innings of work.
Marchessault threw 8 2/3 innings on the mound for the Wildcats as he fanned four hitters and allowed one run on five hits.

The loss drops Morales to a 4-2 mark on the year as he allowed three hits in an inning of work.

Pezzuto was the lone player for the Wildcats to record a multi-hit effort as they put together eight on the evening. Cesino was 1-for-2 with a double, walk and sacrifice bunt.

Johnson & Wales entered the tournament as the number four seed as they fall to a 27-13 overall mark on the year. They will play Lasell College, who also last on Thursday evening at 10:00am in the elimination game on Saturday.

Brenner, Muse and Lapolla each collected two hits on the evening as Suffolk collected eight total in the game. Suffolk was also aided defensively by three double plays as the left side of the infield combined for 13 assists in the contest.

Suffolk (19-11-1 overall) entered as the number one seed in the tournament and will now take on second seed St. Joseph's College on Saturday afternoon at 1:30pm.

The Monks defeated Lasell College by a 9-2 score on Thursday.

All games from here on out this weekend will be played at Larry Mahaney Diamond on the campus of St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine. The winner of the double elimination tournament will receive an automatic qualifier bid into the NCAA New England Regional Tournament which will be hosted in Harwich beginning on May 14.