SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Southern Maine designated hitter Dylan Hapworth went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI while right fielder Zach Quintal finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI to lead the second-seed Huskies to a 10-1 victory over third-seeded The College of New Jersey to wrap up the second day of action at the NCAA Division III Baseball New York Regional, Friday.
Southern Maine (32-11) plated seven runs on six hits during a decisive third inning and added three more runs in the sixth to back starting pitcher Tyler Leavitt, who only allowed four hits and one earned run over 7.2 innings of work.
Quintal led off the third with a single through the right side of the infield before third baseman Matt Bender followed with a line-drive single to left field. The runners advanced on a ground-out by shortstop Andrew Olszak before Hapworth dropped a single in front of the Lion left fielder that plated Quintal. A wild pitch brought in Bender from third before catcher Kip Richard singled to left field and first baseman Andrew Hillier was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Left fielder Paul McDonough was then hit by a pitch to bring home Hapworth before a single to center field by second baseman Jake Dexter plated Richard. After Hillier scored on another wild pitch, center fielder Devin Warren cleared the bases with a two-run triple to the right-center field wall to complete the 7-0 lead.
Warren started the sixth inning with a walk before coming around to score on an RBI double to left field by Quintal. Bender then reached on an infield single that advanced Quintall to third before a sacrifice fly by Olszak plated Quintal. Hapworth followed with an RBI double to left field that brought around Bender for the 10-0 edge.
The College of New Jersey got on the board in the top of the eighth inning after third baseman Patrick Anderson walked and then stole second before coming around to score on a two-out single to center field by left fielder Jacob Simon.
Southern Maine advances to take on top-seeded Oswego on Saturday (May 20) at 11:00 a.m. while The College of New Jersey will then face sixth-seeded Ithaca in an elimination game at 2:30 p.m.
