The NVU-Lyndon men’s baseball team made their way to Fraser Field in Lynn, Massachusetts early Wednesday to take on Fisher College in a doubleheader. Entering the game, Lyndon came in with a record of 0-1 as they had only played in one prior contest this season, in which they lost to Anna Maria 22-8. Fisher had already played in nearly 20 games this season as they entered Wednesday’s game with a record of 15-3.
Game one began with Lyndon finding themselves in trouble early. After being set down at the plate 1-2-3 by Fisher’s starting pitcher Andres Meletiche, the Hornets would go on to give up four runs in the bottom of the first.
The second inning showed some promise for Lyndon as Steven Friscia (28) hit a lead-off single, Jordan Cane (30) following with a single of his own. Two batters later, Parker Perron (26) would single as well. Friscia would go on to score from third base on a wild pitch, making it a 4-1 ballgame. Unfortunately for Lyndon, that one run would be all they would end up with because Fisher was able to turn an inning-ending double play to escape the jam. Defensively, the bottom of the second was much the same for Lyndon, as Fisher’s offense picked up right where they left off; they were able to add three runs via a home run from right fielder John Bautista, bringing the score to 7-1.
The score remained deadlocked at 7-1 through the third and fourth innings, until the bottom of the fifth came around, which saw Lyndon start to mount a comeback. Matt Doherty (17) hit a one-out double, which drove in TJ Santaw (11) from second, making things a 7-2 ball game. Lyndon wasn’t done adding to its run total in the top of the inning as Codi Smith (9) hit a two-run single later in the inning, cutting the Fisher lead to just three runs. Sadly, this is where the scoring would end for Lyndon, as they would not score another run. Fisher ended up adding one more in the bottom of sixth. The game ended in seven innings with a final score of 8-4 in favor of Fisher.
Game two of the afternoon saw Lyndon strike first as the Hornets opened up an early 0-1 lead over Fisher in the top of the second inning, which came via a two-out RBI single from Santaw. This drove in Perron from third, who had reached base due to being hit by a pitch.
However, Lyndon’s lead was short-lived, as Fisher shortstop Jonathan Rosado and right fielder John Bautista hit a pair of RBI singles in the bottom of the third inning. As a result of the two runs, Fisher narrowly pulled ahead taking a 2-1 lead over Lyndon.
Lyndon ran into more trouble in the bottom of the fourth after getting two quick outs on their opponents. Fisher rallied to get the bases loaded. Thankfully, Lyndon pitcher Codi Smith came up clutch and was able to work out of the jam, helping Lyndon to get out of the inning unscathed.
The score remained the same through the entire fifth inning, as well as the top of the sixth. However, things changed in the bottom of the sixth when Fisher’s Ivanuel Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to center field, pushing the lead 3-1 in favor of Fisher.
Since the game was a doubleheader, the length of the game was shortened from your traditional nine innings to seven. When Lyndon came up to bat in the top of the seventh inning down two runs, it was do-or-die. The inning began with a ground-out from Santaw, followed by a single from Ryder Thornton (18). The following batter, Doherty, would strike out, meaning the Hornets were down to their final out. However, with the game on the line, Smith stepped up to the plate and delivered as he hit a two-run shot to left tying the game at three.
After experiencing the highest of highs, Lyndon would then experience the lowest of lows as Fisher would then go on to win the game in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the seventh via an RBI double from Jordan Gosselin. As a result, Fisher would sweep the doubleheader and improve their record to 17-3. Lyndon fell 0-3, leaving the team still searching for their first win.
Despite the two losses, the team remained upbeat and chose to look at the games as a positive, and a step in the right direction, rather than a negative outing.
“We just focused on playing tough,” said freshman designated hitter Jordan Cane. “Fisher is one of the best teams in all of New England, so we just wanted to play hard and see what happens. And I would say that we did that. Only losing by one run in the second game and out hitting them on the day will help us when it comes time for conference play in the NAC.”
You can catch Cane and the rest of the NVU Lyndon men’s baseball team in action on Tuesday, March 30 where they are scheduled to take on the Norwich Cadets in their home opener.