SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Freshman Travis Seymour (Chicopee, Mass.) went 4-for-5 from the leadoff, but it was not enough as American International College dropped a, 7-5, decision to Southern Connecticut State University In Northeast-10 Southwest Division action this afternoon from Bedard Field.
AIC falls to 11-32 on the year and 5-10 in the division with the setback while SCSU improves to 14-23-1 overall and 6-8 in the NE-10 Southwest.
The Jackets opened the scoring in the first plating four runs off four hits. Seymour doubled down the left field line to open the inning and came around to score on senior Tyler Geffert's (Hopedale, Mass.) single through the left side one batter later.
Senior Karl Kapinos (South Hadley, Mass.) then blasted his fifth homer of the year, a three-run shot, high and far down the right field line for the 4-0 lead.
The Owls began chipping away scoring single runs in the second and third on an RBI fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly for the 4-2 deficit. Then in the top of the sixth Jake Paul lifted the first pitch he saw high a far to left center cutting the Yellow Jacket lead to a single run with his third of the season.
SCSU starter Jason Harper settled in after the opening frame to pitch six innings scattering just five hits after the first without allowing another run while walking two and striking out a pair.
Southern Connecticut continued to put the pressure on AIC and they ended up taking the lead in the top of the eighth as Ryan Kaplan ripped a two-out, two-run single to right field and two more runs scored on a muffed throw for the 7-4 advantage.
Senior Mike Coyne (El Cajon, Calif.) responded with a solo-homer to right center in the bottom half of the frame, but AIC left runners on the corners taking the 7-5 deficit into the ninth inning.
The Jackets threatened again in the bottom of the ninth as senior Chris Starcun (Easthampton, Mass.) led off with a single down the right field line, but Quantique White settled in and stranded runners at first and second to end the game and secure the save.
Sophomore Jason Coscio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) didn't factor in the decision after tossing the first 5.2 innings allowing three runs on six hits with a pair of walks and strikeouts. Senior Harrison Paige (Springfield, Mass.) was dealt the loss falling to 0-8 on the season after hurling 3.1 innings allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits with four strikeouts.
The hosts outhit the visitors 14-9 for the game while junior K.J. White (Wilbraham, Mass.) turned in a 3-for-5 day to join Seymour as the only Yellow Jackets with multiple hits.
AIC returns to action next weekend as they close out the regular season with a three-game set against Pace with a single contest on Friday and a double-header set for Saturday where the ten seniors will be honored between games as part of Senior Day.
