Haverhill, MA (March 12, 2018) – The Northern Essex Community College baseball team split four games to open their 12 game trip through the Sunshine State over the weekend. On Saturday the Knights swept a series from Vermillion Community College by scores of 15-0 and 10-3, while dropping two games on Sunday to Herkimer (NY) by scores of 7-3 and 8-6.
Saturday-
The Knights were firing on all cylinders to open up the trip. Game one starter Corey Imbriano (Wakefield, MA) fired six innings of three hit baseball while striking out 11 and not issuing a walk. Offensively, a seven run second-inning open the scoring and the Knights never looked back. A Benjamin Irvine (Peabody, MA) grand slam got the scoring started early. Alex Almonte (Lawrence, MA) and Riley Magee (Windham, NH) also both added their second home runs of the season in the game one victory. Almonte's homerun was part of a 4 for 4 performance at the plate in game one. Magee, Kyle Hawes (Lynnfield, MA), Leo Romero (Lawrence, MA) and Nolan Steevens (Wilton, NH) all had multiple hits in game one as part of the teams 18 hits for the game.
In game two, the Knights pounded out 10 more hits and rallied from an early 3-0 deficit with a seven run fourth inning. Romero led offensive output in game two as he had three hits (two doubles) and three RBI's that got the scoring started in the fourth inning. Julio Leon (Lawrence, MA) and Andrew Caulfield (Malden, MA) each recorded multiple hits in game two.
On the mound, Justin Kerhulas (North Reading, MA) got his first win of the season as he pitched four innings of two hit baseball, while Michael Goodin (Dracut, MA) earned a three inning save.
Sunday-
On Sunday, Northern Essex couldn't dig out of an early game 1 hole as they were held to just four hits while also committing three errors defensively.
Irvine accounted for two of the Knights four hits, with Romero and Leon adding the others. Seven walks and four hit batsman from the Herkimer pitching staff allowed the Knights to put runners on base throughout the game, but the bats were stymied at the plate.
Richard Reidy (Amesbury, MA) suffered the loss in his first outing of the season as he surrendered seven hits and four earned runs over three innings of work. John Alba (Lawrence, MA) worked the final three innings in defeat for the Knights.
Game two saw the Knights outhit Herkimer, but a five-run third inning was not enough to help the Knights climb out of an early 8-1 hole after two innings as they fell 8-6. Irvine, Almonte and Magee each had two hits apiece, while Sebastian Pereyra (Lawrence, MA) drove in three runs with a bases clearing double as part of the five run third inning.
Jake Berresi (Wakefield, MA) suffered the loss for the Knights as he allowed eight runs (seven earned) over an inning and two-thirds. Vidal Dominguez (Lawrence, MA) and Devin Carvalho (North Andover, MA) combined to go the final five and one-third innings allowing just one hit.
Up Next:
The Knights will return to action on Monday as they travel to play the JV squad from NCAA Division II Rollins College, following a day off Tuesday the Knights will play six additional game in Florida against NJCAA opponents.
Northern Essex Community College competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sponsors eight varsity intercollegiate sports including baseball, men's basketball, 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 (http://athletics.necc.mass.edu).