Hawk baseball takes down Merrimack in final home game of the season

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Crier\Tim Mannila

Sophomores Vincent Fortini (left) and Tyler McKeon (right) chatting on the field

Connor MacGregor, Crier Staff

The Saint Anselm College Baseball team finished their season at home on a positive note, taking down Merrimack College 7-4 after dropping a double header to Merrimack the day before. The win was a culmination of a strong pitching performance and an explosive offense that showed the team’s true potential for seasons to come.

On the mound for the Hawks was sophomore Jonathan Dunn who threw for 8.0 innings with no earned runs on 7 hits with 5 walks and 3 strikeouts. For the Hawks batting lineup, Senior Nick Bragole led the way going 2 for 3 with his fourth homerun of the season. Joining him was junior John Marculitis who went 3 for 3 with a run scored and junior Dan Bodi who went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run.

The Hawks were able to get on the scoreboard quickly, striking first in the bottom of the second from a sacrifice pop-fly from Senior Jon McQuarrie to drive in Marculitis. The Hawks then loaded the bases and were able to take advantage of a Merrimack throwing error to grab another run before the end of the inning.

Merrimack answered back in the top of the fourth, capitalizing on a throwing error by the Hawks after a single and a walk, making the score 2-1. Merrimack was then able to tie the game in the top of the fifth by taking advantage of a bases loaded situation. Great fielding helped the Hawks minimize the damage and escape the inning with just the one run.

In the bottom of the fifth Bragole smashed a home run to give the Hawks the lead back and in a position to win the game. The Hawks padded their lead in the seventh, putting four more runs on the board making the game 7-2. Merrimack took advantage of another Hawk error to put one on the board in the eighth. In the ninth Merrimack loaded the bases. Fortunately for the Hawks, sophomore Max Hall closed out the game 7-4.

The Crier caught up with Senior Nick Bragole to talk about the team’s victory. “It definitely was a big win for us. It feels bittersweet having our last game today on this field, but good to get a win, especially for Coach Rosen.”