Baseball downs Assumption in midweek bullpen battle

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - In a game where 13 pitchers were used, the American International College baseball team outlasted Assumption University 13-8 on Tuesday, April 8.

AIC is now 9-19 on the season.

Assumption scored the game's first run in the second with a double and a single, but AIC countered in the second. Kiernan Caffrey doubled to right center and Jackson Haker walked, followed by Chad Lavelle absorbing a pitch to load the bases. Shea Cucinotta bounced to third, but not only did Assumption's third baseman miss the bag with his foot, his throw home was wild, turning a potential double play into a run, and ultimately two when Richie Segura's flyout allowed Haker to come home as well to give AIC a 2-1 lead.

In the next inning, Yeudy Ramirez rocked a triple and both Caffrey and Haker walked to load the bases again. Lavelle once again wore a pitch, this time to bring a run in, and Cucinotta walked for another.

Two frames later, Lavelle hit the ball instead of the ball hitting him, launching his team-high fourth of the year over the right-field fence.

In the seventh, AIC added another run, as Cole Patterson singled and stole second, coming in on Ramirez's third hit of the day.

Assumption rallied in the eighth with a double, two singles, and a walk; the addition of a series of wild pitches allowed three Greyhounds to cross home. Anderson Cuello Batista came in with two on and one out, and holding just a 6-4 lead, but was able to induce a flyout and a groundout to escape the jam. 

In the ninth, Assumption brought the tying run to the plate with a one-out walk, but Cuello Batista drew a 4-6-3 double play to lock down the win.

AIC returns to Northeast-10 Conference action with four games in New Hampshire on the weekend; the Yellow Jackets play two games at Saint Anselm on Saturday, April 13 and two on Sunday, April 14 at Southern New Hampshire, both beginning at noon.