Haverhill (April 7th, 2019) – The Northern Essex Community College baseball team has a perfect 3-0 which included a pair of conference wins over Bunker Hill and a non-conference win at Southern Maine Community College.
Game 1 vs. Bunker Hill (Tuesday)
The Knights exploded for 21 runs over the game's first two innings in a decisive 26-1 victory. Leo Romero (Lawrence, MA) led the offensive assault as he went 3 for 3 with six RBI's including two-run home run and double. In total 14 different players recorded at least one hit for the game. Spencer Brown (Beverly, MA) hit for the cycle with three RBI's. Spencer Balian (Lynnfield, MA), Andrew Caulfield (Malden, MA) and Mike Stellato (Lynnfield, MA) also recorded multiple hits.
On the mound, Ronald Luke (Malden, MA) pitched a complete game allowing two hits, one run, with 10 strikeouts and two base on balls.
Game 2 vs. Bunker Hill (Friday)
NECC never trailed as they tacked on four runs in the top of the first on their way to a 14-3 Region XXI win. After a leadoff single to start the game Rob Lagasse (Newburyport, MA) would find his way around the bases and score on a passed ball to give the Knights an immediate lead. Romero would conclude the first inning scoring as he crushed a 3-run home run that scored Kyle Hawes (Lynnfield, MA) and Riley Magee (Windham, NH) who both reached via two out walks.
Offensively, Lagasse was tack on a 2-run home run in the second, while Brown had a three hit day and Harrison Engstrom added two hits including a solo home run to left field in the third.
Five different pitchers saw action with Ryan Sharkey (Salisbury, MA) starting and throwing two innings allowing one hit.
Vs. Southern Maine CC (Wednesday)
Northern Essex hung on to win a slug fest in Portland by a 19-15 final, in which they pounded out 19 hits. Brown, Romero, Hawes and Alex Almonte (Lawrence, MA) each recorded three hits apiece. Dylan Duval (Middleton, MA) also recorded a multi-hit afternoon.
On mound Brown started and went three innings allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and four strikeouts, while issuing five base on balls. Mike Goodin (Dracut, MA) picked up the win oin relief as he went five innings, striking out four and not issuing a walk on 11 hits and nine runs (six earned).
NECC Will return to the field on Thursday on the road at Massasoit Community College. They will return home on Saturday and play host to Community College of Rhode Island at Trinity Stadium.
Northern Essex Community College competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sponsors nine varsity intercollegiate sports including baseball, men's basketball, golf, softball, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track and field. For more information on Northern Essex Community College Athletics please visit the official website of Northern Essex Athletics (www.neccknights.com).
