Bethlehem, PA (March 21, 2021) – The combination of Logan Burrill's (Amesbury) bat and his brother Levi's arm powered the Northern Essex Community College baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of #5 nationally ranked Northampton Community College in the first two games of a four-game set. The sweep improved the Knights record to 5-6 on the season.
Game 1 (NECC 11 – NCC 6)
After a scoreless first inning, Logan Burrill crushed a two-run home run to left field. It would be the first of three home runs in the game for Burrill and four for the Knights in the second inning. Following Burrill, both Joe Muzio (Rockport) and Clay Campbell (Hooksett, NH) would send balls over the fence to center and right respectively. The Knights would conclude the six-run second inning when Dylan Duval (Middleton) smacked a two-run shot to left.
Burrill would crush two more home runs in the game in the 5th and 6th innings to finish the game 3 for 4 with six RBI's. The Knights jumped out to an 11-0 lead after six innings before surrendering six runs to the Spartans in the final frame.
Duval, Campbell and Jared Coppola (Lynn) joined Burrill with multiple hits in the game as the Knights pounded out 14 hits.
On the mound, Todd Tringale (Saugus) tossed 6.1 innings of four hit, four run ball as he struck out 11 and issued four walks.
Game 2 (NECC 3 – NCC 2)
A complete game 11 strikeout, five hit, two run performance in which he didn't issue a walk, Levi Burrill carried the Knights to the game two win. After allowing one run in the first he locked down and didn't allow another running past first base until the sixth inning where the Spartans would grab their second of the game, but would also strand a pair of runners in scoring position over their final two at-bats.
At the plate, the Knights would tie the game in the third on the lead off single from Hunter Wilichoski (Hamilton) and would come around to score two batters later on a sacrifice from Duval.
The Knights take the lead for good in the fourth, Coppola reached on an error to start the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Chris Presinal (Sudbury) and would score two batters later ona two out single from Muzio.
The eventual winning run came with two outs in the sixth as Muzio started the rally with a two out single and steal second two pitches later. He would come around to score as Campbell reached on an error.
The Spartans tacked one on the bottom of the sixth before stranding runners in scoring position in the final two at-bats.
The two teams will return to the field tomorrow for the final two games of the four-game series. First pitch of game tomorrow is scheduled for 11:00am
Northern Essex Community College competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and sponsors 12 varsity intercollegiate sports including baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, softball, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's soccer, Esports 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).