Florence Launches Three Home Runs to Lift Owls to Sweep of MCLA

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State sophomore Nolan Florence (Chicopee, Mass.) had a career day at the plate in game one of a doubleheader sweep over MCLA, belting three home runs to guide the Owls to a come-from-behind victory over the Trailblazers, 9-7, on Monday afternoon from Zavattaro Field in North Adams, Mass. Westfield took game two of the twin-bill by a score of 17-4 to complete the season series sweep of MCLA. Florence is the fourth Owls hitter to record three home runs in a single game as Tim Santilli was the last Westfield player to do so in 2015.

Westfield State improves to 19-12 on the season and 10-5 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. MCLA slides to 10-22 overall and 1-14 in conference play.

Game one featured five lead changes as the Owls overcame a late Trailblazer lead to steal the opener. MCLA scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Randy Adams ripped a two run double to score Austin Rachiele and pinch runner Isaiah Tucker to give the hosts a 7-6 heading to the seventh inning.

With MCLA just three outs away from stealing the victory, Westfield and Florence had other ideas. Casey Boudreau (Shrewsbury, Mass.) led off the inning by being hit by a James Sneyd offering to bring Florence to the dish.  The right handed slugger had already homered twice in the contest and facing Sneyd for the first time, he launched a two run bomb to left field to give the Owls an 8-7 advantage. It was the 32^nd time in Boudreau's career that he was hit by a pitch, which is a school record for career hit by pitches.

Westfield would add an insurance tally on a sacrifice fly to take a 9-7 lead.  MCLA would bring the tying run to the plate with two outs in the seventh, but Westfield's Joseph Fischer (Avon, Mass.) would strike out Jayco Pena and end the contest.

Early on, MCLA led 3-1 as Tristan Ciarlo brought home two runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Florence and the Owls answered quickly as he connected for his first homer of the afternoon off MCLA starter Aidan Brett to pull the Owls within one at 3-2.

Florence would deliver again in the third inning, this time a three run shot to give the Owls a 5-3 lead.  MCLA would tie things up in the fourth as Robinson Guerrero-Baez drove in two with a double of his own and the score was 5-5.  

Westfield took a brief 6-5 lead in the sixth inning which set up the MCLA rally in the bottom half prior to Florence's game changing blast.

MCLA outhit Westfield in the opener 10-9. Adams and Ty Mazzeo each had a pair of hits.  Sneyd took the loss in relief of Brett.

Florence ended the day going 3-3 with 6 RBI's and 3 runs scored.  Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.) and Damien Maniscalco (Branford, Conn.) each had two base hits.  Fischer earned the win in relief for the Owls.

Game two was tied up at 4-4 thru four innings of play before the Owls erupted for 12 runs in the fifth inning to take the game over.  The Owls sent 18 batters to the plate in the inning against three Trailblazer pitchers.  Ethan Day (Meriden, Conn.) delivered a two run single and Boudreau doubled in another run.  Maniscalco connected on a two run single as well to highlight the frame.

Westfield would outhit MCLA 19-7 and amassed seven walks.  Owl right fielder Jake Butler led all players going 4-4 with three runs scored. Maniscalco went 3-5 as well.  Nick Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.), Justin Neidel (Attleboro, Mass.), Max Silverman (Westford, Mass.), Day, and Kyle Darby (South Windsor, Conn.) each had two safeties.

The MCLA offensive attack was highlighted Robinson Guerrero-Baez' home run.  Jayco Pena had a nice afternoon going 3-3 as well.

The Trailblazers used five pitchers on the day as Isaiah Tucker suffered the loss.

Westfield's Sean Casey (Amston, Conn.) earned the win in relief of starter Palmer.  

Westfield State will return home to begin a series against Framingham State, with game one set for Friday at 3:30 P.M. from Bud and Jim Hagan Field before travelling to Framingham for a Saturday doubleheader.

(Release courtesy of MCLA Sports Information)