SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Rookie right fielder Andrew Ciacciarelli had three hits, including driving in the go-ahead run in the sixth, as the American International College baseball team topped Bloomfield College in a non-conference contest at Bedard Field on Thursday, April 13.
The win improves AIC's record to 9-18 overall on the campaign.
The Bears struck first in the top of the fourth inning, as Harry Montero smacked a one-out double to right to drive in a run, but the Jackets were able to get out of the frame without further damage after a Bloomfield runner was caught trying to score from third on a groundout and starting pitcher Mike Wroth induced another groundout to short to end the threat.
With the bats then in their hands, the Jackets responded as senior first baseman Chris Starcun singled to center field to lead off the home half of the fourth; two batters later, he advanced to second as rookie designated hitter Dan Frawley was hit by a pitch. That set the table for Ciacciarelli, who doubled to left to bring in Starcun, and Frawley scored on a throwing error by the pitcher to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Montero came to the dish again, and once again he drove a run in for Bloomfield, as he crushed the first pitch he saw over the right field fence to tie the game at 2-2.
The Jackets again had an answer, and it was again Ciacciarelli who delivered it, doubling to left center on a 2-0 pitch after an infield single by Frawley to give AIC a 3-2 lead. A single and another error by the pitcher allowed Ciacciarelli to score, extending the lead to 4-2.
From there, the pitchers for AIC shut down the Bears offense. Wroth threw a 1-2-3 seventh, followed by the same from freshman Dean Streich in the eighth; Cam Winiarz did allow two hits in the ninth, both singles, but induced a lineout and a flyout to end the game with the tying run on second.
Wroth improved to 1-1 on the year with the win, ultimately ending with seven innings of two-run ball on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts. The entire pitching staff for AIC needed just 99 pitches to earn all 27 outs.
AIC returns to Northeast-10 action on April 14 at Pace, with a 2 p.m. start for the first of a three-game series that continues the following day with a doubleheader beginning at noon in Pleasantville, New York.
