Myrtle Beach, SC - Vermont State University rallied from a three run deficit to defeat New Engand College, 4-3, in their season opener at the Ripken Experience Spring Training event. NEC then turned the tables in the nightcap, rallying for an 8-6 victory over the Hornets to move to 1-3 on the season.
Game 1 - VTSU Lyndon 4, New England College 3 - 9 innings
The Pilgrims jumped in front with three runs in the top of the first inning. The Pilgrims loaded the bases with one out, then broke in front on Dillan Abbate's walk. TJ Hicks then delivered a two-out, two-run single, with what would prove to be the only runs NEC would score.
Carlos Rodriguez (La Mirada, CA) came in to pitch for Lyndon in the second inning. The left hander closed the door on NEC, shutting the Pilgrims out oer the next five innings and allowing only four hits and a walk against four strikeouts.
Lyndon got on the board in the bottom half of the first inning when Tredell Blow (Yorktown, VA) drove in Eyon Tembreull (Vergennes, VT). The Hornets pushed across another run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Eric Hernandez Jr. (Fairfax, VT) grounded out with the bases loaded. The Hornets tied the game an inning later when Tembreull was hit by a pitch leading off and later scored on a wild pitch.
After neither team could push across a run in the eighth inning and NEC was retired in the top of the ninth, Aaron LeFrancois (Rutland, VT) walked leading off the bottom half of the frame. After Tembreull singles and Cesar Cisneros (National City, CA) was intentionally walked, LeFrancois scored on a wild pitch to give Lyndon the win.
Austin Bigelow (East Hampton, CT) relieved Rodriguez in the seventh inning and pitched three scoreless, hitless innings to pick up the win. He struck out six against one walk. Jaken Pellerin took the loss in relief for NEC.
Game 2 - New England College 8, VTSU Lyndon 6
Lyndon flipped the script in the nightcap, plating three runs in the top of the first inning. Ryan Alt (Poultney, VT) was hit by a pitch and scored when Matt Gonyeau (Saint Albans, VT) reached on an error. Blow followed with a two-run home run to make it 3-0, Lyndon.
Lyndon tacked on another run in the top of the fourth inning when Tembreull singled home pinch runner Zinabu McNeice (Brattleboro, VT).
NEC got on the board in the home half of the fifth inning. The Pilgrims sandwiched two walks around a base hit, then Brady Philibotte grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing the first NEC run to score.
Lyndon would retin the 4-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Bobby Trigillio walked leading off, then singles from Tyler Fenton and Nick Hernandez scored Trigillio. After Hernandez stole second, Abbate's two-run single back up the middle drove in Fenton and Hernandez to tie the game. A walk and a throwing error loaded the bases, setting the stage for Philibotte, whose grand slam over the left center field wall gave NEC an 8-4 lead.
Trailing by four headed into the top of the seventh inning, the Hornets refused to go quietly. Back to back doubles from Cisneros and Alt cut the deficit to three runs. After Gonyeau walked, Blow doubled to score Alt and put the tying run on base. Jeren Harrison (Charlotte, NC) reached on a fielder's choice when Gonyeau was gunned down at home, then Hernandez grounded into a game ending double play.
NEC starter Nate Gallant earned the win after allowing one earned run on three hits over the first six innings. Mike Redmond (Plantation, FL) took the loss for the Hornets.
Lyndon wraps up their time at the Ripken Experience on Monday morning when they face Elmira College. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 am.
