HENNIKER, N.H. – The Lyndon State College baseball team dropped two games to New England College, 7-4 and 8-2, Monday afternoon as they continued North Atlantic Conference play.

Game 1

Aaron Catalani got things going for the Hornets in the top of the first inning with a two-out single that plated Devon Rollins.  The Pilgrims answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs to take the lead.

In the second, Andrew Eason Jr. knocked a single into center to score Kevin Tufo and Ryan Cordeiro to take a 3-2 lead.  The lead didn't last long as NEC picked up another run to tie the game at 3-3.

The Pilgrims added two runs in the fourth to go up 5-3.  In the top of the fifth, Reece Tanguay grounded into a double play but scored Tufo from third on the play to cut the lead to 5-4.

NEC went on to score two more runs in the bottom of the sixth as they held Lyndon scoreless over the last two innings to take the first game 7-4.

Eason went 1-for-2 with two RBIs while Tufo added a hit and two runs to lead the Hornets in game one.

Matthew Tritto got the start for Lyndon going 3.1 innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs, and striking out three.  Andrew Whalen took the loss in 1.2 innings of work while Mike Raimondi pitched one inning to finish out the game.

Picking up the win on the mound for the Pilgrims was Vincent Backert who allowed just two earned runs on four hits, while striking out eight.

Game 2

Both teams were held scoreless until the bottom of the third when NEC was able to knock in a run off a sacrifice fly.  The Hornets evened the score in the top of the fourth when Devon Rollins scored on an Aaron Catalini ground out.  The Pilgrims came roaring back in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs on four hits. 

Nathan Stewart added another run for the Hornets in the top of the fifth to bring the score to 5-2.  NEC went on the score one run in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth to finish the second game 8-2.

Eason had another solid game at the plate with two hits, including a double.  Rollins and Stewart each racked up a hit and a run in game two.

Neil Robinson went 3.1 innings in the start for the Hornets, allowing three runs on three hits in the loss.  Zak Johnson, Steve Bova, and Josh Kennison all saw time on the hill as well.

Picking up the complete game victory on the mound for the Pilgrims was Manuel Alejandro who did not allow an earned run and struck out six.

The Hornets (3-15, 0-6 NAC) will host the Pilgrims (4-10, 3-3 NAC) on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. for a doubleheader in search of their first conference win.