Owls Bats Quieted at Anna Maria

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State got another brilliant outing by sophomore starting pitcher Andre Phaneuf (Westfield, Mass.) but the Owl bats were shut out in game one, then were unable to rally out of an early deficit in game two for a pair of losses at Anna Maria in a MASCAC doubleheader from Marlborough High School on Saturday afternoon.

After scoring ten runs in a game one victory against Anna Maria on Friday, the Owls ran into a pair of strong starting pitchers in Owen Sullivan and Jesse Buonocore, scoring four in the two games. One run was the difference in game one as the Owls fell 1-0 before a seven-run AMCATS first inning in game two doomed the Owls chances in a 7-4 setback.

A pitcher's duel unfolded in game one between Phaneuf and Sullivan with both sides combining for just four hits in the contest. Phaneuf was dominant again, going the distance while allowing one hit with seven strikeouts and three walks. Sullivan scattered three hits and one walk while fanning eight in a complete-game shutout.

The difference in the game came in the fourth inning with Justin Chiulli drawing a leadoff walk, then advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Phaneuf struck out the next batter looking, but an Owls error on a ball hit by Avery Acuna resulted in the lone run crossing home plate for either side.

In the first two innings, the Owls got a man to second base with one out, a single then steal by Sam Palmer (Medfield, Mass.), then a second-inning single by TJ May (North Granby, Conn.). However, the Owls were unable to find a situational hit on both occasions. In the sixth inning, Nick Lenfest (Westfield, Mass.) lined a one-out single into right centerfield, then reached scoring position after a ground out, but Sullivan forced another ground ball in the infield to maintain a one-run lead. Westfield went down in order in the seventh to wrap up game one.

Phaneuf lowered his season earned run average to a miniscule 1.93 over 32.2 innings pitched and picked up his third quality start in his last four outings. He received a tough-luck losing decision. Sullivan remains unbeaten on the mound, improving to 4-0 overall. He has thrown seven innings in each of his last three starts.

The AMCATS jumped on Westfield in game two by piling up seven runs in the first inning which was initiated by a three-run home run by Josh Batchelder. Acuna singled up the middle for two more runs, then Anna Maria batted around back to the middle of the order where Mason Kolczewski put the finishing touches on the frame with a two-run single into centerfield for a 7-0 lead.

The Owls got their first run of the day in the fourth inning on an error off the bat of Tyler Pegram (Fountain, N.C.) allowing Alex Martin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) to score and tried to climb back into the game in the final two frames but ran out of outs.

Chase Racine (Pittsfield, Mass.) brought in Lenfest who got the inning started on a single to center, then Martin grounded out to second to bring in a third run and trim the deficit to four runs. Jacob Lucas (Rutland, Mass.) cranked a solo home run in the seventh inning to make it a three-run game, but were unable to complete a late rally.

Ethan Quinn (Northfield, Mass.) got his first collegiate appearance in relief and jumpstarted a string of four different relievers who combined to 5.1 scoreless frames in an effort to keep the game within striking distance. David Chaisson (Fishers, Ind.) took the loss.

Buonocore went the distance for the AMCATS, tossing seven innings while allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits with five strikeouts.

Westfield State (8-18, 5-6 MASCAC) will take on MCLA from Bud and Jim Hagan Field for their next game on Tuesday at 3:30 P.M.