SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Junior Chris Starcun (Easthampton, Mass.) bombed two long-balls to help American International College to a doubleheader split with Southern Connecticut State University dropping game one 8-4 before capturing a 3-1 victory in the finale in Northeast-10 Southwest Division action this afternoon from Bedard Field.
AIC moves to 11-31 overall and 5-9 in divisional play while SCSU improves to 13-23-1 on the year and 5-8 in the NE-10 Southwest.
The Owls opened game one scoring single runs in the second and third before the Jackets responded with an unearned run in the bottom of the third as freshman Josh Aviles (Naugatuck, Conn.) opened the inning with an infield single to third and advanced all the way home off a failed pick-off attempt and throwing error by the first baseman for the 2-1 deficit.
Southern Connecticut tacked on an unearned run in the fourth and then a two-out, two-run triple to right field by Jake Paul and an ensuing RBI single to center by Mike DeMartino gave the visitors a 6-1 lead in the top of the sixth.
However, AIC fought back grabbing a pair in their half of the frame as Starcun blasted his team-leading sixth homer of the season high down the right field line for the 6-3 score.
SCSU added a pair in the top of the seventh and the Jackets responded again as senior Tyler Geffert (Hopedale, Mass.) laced a run-producing double down the left field line for the 8-4 margin.
AIC threatened in the bottom of the eighth, but left the bases loaded and in the ninth put the first two runners on, but Jake Santamaria got three straight batters by way of the kay to record the save.
Sophomore southpaw Nick Kennedy (Longmeadow, Mass.) was dealt the loss after allowing eight runs (six earned) on 13 hits with four walks and four strikeouts over the first 6.2 innings. Brandon Rentas earned the decision for SCSU tossing 6.2 innings surrendering four runs (three earned) on eight hits with five strikeouts to fall to 4-4.
The Owls outhit the hosts 14-9 in the opener while each team had a pair of miscues.
Game two opened as a pitcher's duel as senior Colin Sledzik (Higganum, Conn.) didn't allow a run over the first four innings while throwing just 35 pitches. However, in the top of the fifth the Owls got on the board off an RBI double by McNeill Finnegan for the 1-0 edge.
The Jackets promptly responded with a two-out rally in the bottom half of the frame tying the score on an RBI double by Geffert before Starcun deposited a 3-2 fastball high and far over the 400 foot sign in straight away center for the 3-1 advantage.
Sledzik then continued to deal going eight innings allowing just the one run on six hits with five strikeouts to improve to 2-4 on the year and senior Eddie Ritch (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) tossed a scoreless ninth to pick up his second save of the season.
AIC held the slim 8-7 edge in hits in game two as junior K.J. White (Wilbraham, Mass.) and freshman Brendan Carter (Merrimack, N.H.) each collected a pair to lead the way.
Both squads return to Bedard Field tomorrow to wrap up the season series with a 10 a.m. tilt.
