Lynn, MA (March 1, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College baseball team, ranked #8 in the NJCAA preseason poll split a season opening double header against NCAA Division III Dean College on Saturday afternoon at Fraser Field in Lynn.

In the opening game Dean, grabbed a 5-1 victory before the Knights bounced back in game two to take a 7-5 victory.

In game one, Dean grabbed a 5-0 lead after four innings, scoring in the first and fourth innings. The Knights scored their lone run in the final inning.

Mike Geissler (Peabody) got the start for the Knights, striking out five and walking five in three innings of work allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits.

Larsen Birch (Painting Post, NY) and Enger Paulino (Dudley, MA) would close out the games final four innings combining for eight strikeouts and not issuing walk, while Dean would score three runs on four hits.

The Knights were outhit in game one seven to four and scored their lone run in the bottom of the seventh. Brendan Keefe (Marblehead), who entered as a pinch runner, scored on a one out line drive back up the middle from Mark McKay (Plymouth).

In game two, Jack Kelleher (Haverhill) made his collegiate debut on the mound and struck out seven in four innings of work, allowing one run on one hit and issuing two walks.

At the plate, the Knights jumped out to 4-0 lead after the first inning. Jera Sena (Boston) started the inning with a one out single and scored following three straight walks. Michael Fabiano (Reading) drove in a pair of runs on a base hit to left field and Luke Martinho (Lynnfield) drove in the final run of the inning base hit to the left side of the infield.

The Knights added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings on RBI base hits from Jacob Carter (Reading), Martinho and Manny Castro (Manchester, NH).

The Knights will return to the field next Saturday when they travel to New Jersey to take on Sussex Community College in their final tune up prior to heading south for ten games over the spring break.