BB: Lasell splits GNAC doubleheader with Johnson & Wales

WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior Dan Petr (East Haven, Conn.) tossed a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts Sunday evening as Lasell College split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) baseball doubleheader with Johnson & Wales University at Brandeis University's Stein Diamond.

Petr led the Lasers to a 3-0 victory in the opener, but the Wildcats rallied with four runs in the sixth inning of the nightcap to avoid the sweep, 5-3. With the split, Lasell is now 13-11 overall and 4-4 in the GNAC, while Johnson & Wales is 17-7 overall and 7-1 in conference play.

Both teams play non-conference home games on Tuesday, April 9, as Lasell hosts Becker College at 7 p.m. and JWU hosts Salve Regina University at 3:30 p.m.

Game 1: Lasell 3, Johnson & Wales 0

Petr walked two and hit three batters but kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard as no runners reached third base. He struck out the side in the second inning and finished off the win with a game-ending double play in the seventh to post his first victory of the season (1-0).

Lasell scored its three run on just two hits. Sophomore Harrison Silva (Lowell, Mass.) scored the first run after reaching base in the third inning on a walk, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a JWU throwing error.

Senior Chris Maringo (Farmingville, N.Y.) walked to lead off the fourth inning and junior Joe Sullivan (East Sandwich, Mass.) had the big hit in the game with a towering two-run home run down the right field line, his first of the season.

Game 2: Johnson & Wales 5, Lasell 3

Sullivan put the Lasers on top in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single to right. The Wildcats evened the score in the top of the third when junior Rich Bourdeau (Pawtucket, R.I.) doubled to center, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on an infield ground out.

The Lasers went up 3-1 in the bottom of the third when seniors Evan Michalek (Berlin, Conn.) and Andre Marchesseault (Cheshire, Conn.) both singled and stole second base, and Maringo delivered a two-run single.

JWU pulled out the win with a four-run rally in the sixth inning. Senior Adam Diehl (Cypress, Texas) drove in a run with a single to left, junior Armani Henderson (Johnston, R.I.) followed with an RBI double to left, and junior Francisco Diaz (San Juan, P.R.) capped the rally with a two-run single to center.

Senior James Smiegocki (Lambertville, N.J.) earned the win (4-1) for JWU with a complete-game effort, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out five. Junior Zach Handzel (Palmer, Mass.) suffered the loss (4-3) in relief, surrendering two runs in the sixth.

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