SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College baseball team wrapped up its season with a Senior Day doubleheader against the University of New Haven on Sunday, May 7, winning the first game 14-6 while losing 10-2 in the second game.
With the results, AIC finishes the year with an overall record of 16-28 and 9-18 in the NE10 while New Haven concluded the regular season with a 25-10 overall record and16-8 in the NE10.
The Yellow Jackets were the first to score in the first game, as they scored a run in the bottom of the first. Josh Aviles started off with a double to left center. Aviles didn't stay long on second as a hard double by K.J. White scored him to make it 1-0 AIC.
In the second inning the Yellow Jackets struck again with a single to center field by Andrew Ciacciarelli to start the inning. After moving to second on a groundout, Ciacciarelli scored on a single hit by Aviles to center, making it 2-0.
AIC put four runs on the board in the fourth as Eugene Quirk and Brendan Carter hit back-to-back singles to start the inning off. Aviles reached first and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher on a sac bunt attempt that scored Quirk in the process. White singled past the shortstop to score Aviles and Carter to make it 5-0. The last run of the inning came on an RBI single by Mike Wroth to right field that scored White from third after he stole second base.
The fifth inning saw two more runs as Ciacciarelli, Quirk and Brendan Carter all singled to load the bases. A sac fly from White scored Ciacciarelli, and a single to right field from Matt Krause gave the Yellow Jackets an 8-0 advantage. The bottom of the sixth saw the Yellow Jackets take full control of the game, with six runs scoring for AIC. Chris Starcun walked on six pitches before advancing to second on a Matt Costanza single to center. Ciacciarelli was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Quirk took a five-pitch walk to bring Starcun in to score. Carter was next to walk, taking six pitches to bring the next run in. A grand slam from White pushed AIC over the top, giving them a 14-0 lead.
The Chargers were finally able to score in the eighth inning, as a RBU single up the middle scored a runner from second. The final three runs of the inning for New Haven came on a three RBI double to deep center field, making it 14-4. New Haven tried staging a comeback in the ninth, as they were able to score two runs, but the rally fell short, resulting in a 14-6 Yellow Jacket win.
Ryan Bruning (W, 3-4) went eight full innings as the starter, allowing four runs on 10 hits along with one strikeout. Andrew Gould came in to deal the final frame, allowing two unearned runs on two hits.
The tables turned on the Yellow Jackets for game two, as they were only able to muster two runs on six hits.
The first run for AIC came in the second inning, as Starcun singled to right field to start. After reaching second on a ground out, Starcun was able to score on a fielding error at third on a hard hit ball by Quirk that led to the catcher advancing to second base.
The fourth inning saw the last run for the Yellow Jackets, with a double down the left field line from Starcun to set the stage. A flyout advanced Starcun to third before a groundout allowed him to easily score for the second run of the game for AIC.
The Yellow Jackets had problems containing the offense from New Haven, as they allowed 10 runs on 13 hits.
Anthony Crudale (L, 1-3) started Game Two of the doubleheader, going 2.1 innings where he gave up four hits, five runs, four earned runs and one walk. Matt Costanza was the first relief pitcher to see action, as he went 3.2 innings. In his 3.2 innings of work, Costanza allowed six hits, three unearned, while posting two strikeouts. Joe Pepe threw one inning, letting up two hits, two runs and one walk with one strikeout. J.D. LeHouiller came into pitch the final two innings where he gave up one hits and struck out two batters.
