WALTHAM, Mass. - Suffolk University junior catcher Bobby Barrett (Milton, Mass./Worcester Acad.) had a monster day today on Brandeis's Stein Diamond, going 6-for-8 eight with two home runs, two doubles and a whopping nine RBI as the Rams ruined the Judges' senior day with a doubleheader sweep, 10-2 and 11-1. Suffolk improves to 29-7 and awaits their place to the NCAA tournament as champions of the GNAC, while Brandeis's season comes to a close at 16-25.
Game one of the twin-bill was tight for the first six innings. After the Rams scored in the top of the first on Barrett's first RBI double of the afternoon, the Judges answered in the bottom of the frame. After rookie SS Julian Cavin (Brooklyn, N.Y./Beacon School) walked and classmate CF Sean O'Hare (Southampton, Mass./Hampshire Regional) singled, the pair stole second and third. A third rookie, LF Jon Chu (Hollis Hills, N.Y./Bronx Science) drove home the tying run with a groundout, while sophomore 3B Tony Deshler (Pepperell, Mass./Lawrence Acad.) singled to short to give the Judges a 2-1 lead.
Brandeis junior Drew Brzozowski (Concord, Mass./Concord-Carlisle) kept the Rams in check through the next three frames before Suffolk reclaimed the lead in the fifth. Rookie C Dan Belanger (Raynham, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) led off with a single, and senior 2B Paul Vittozzi (No. Reading, Mass./No. Reading) followed with a one-out double. That brought up Barrett, who launched his sixth round-tripper of the season to give the visitors a 4-2 lead.
That was all Suffolk would need, though they added six more runs in the seventh inning. All six batters to face sophomore John McGrath (New York, N.Y./Trevor Day) reached base and scored, including two more Barrett's second double of the day and three on a two-bagger by sophomore SS Mark Addesa (Revere, Mass./Revere). Senior RHP Dan Delia (Boston, Mass./Savio Prep) went the distance for the visitors, improving to 7-1 on the season. He allowed just four hits and two earned runs, striking out three and walking one. Brzozowski suffered the loss to fall to 5-2 despite striking out seven and not walking a batter. He gave up seven hits and four earned runs.
In game two, Suffolk got its work done early, plating eight runs in the first two innings. Thanks to Brandeis wildness, the Rams scored three in the first and five in the second with just four hits, as Judge pitcher walked seven and tossed three wild pitches. Big blows were a two-run single up the middle in the first by junior 3B Mike Keneally (Geoargetown, Mass./Georgetown) and a two-run single to center by Barrett in the second.
The Judges ruined Suffolk senior Reid Jackson's (Burlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) shutout bid in the third, as rookie Zach Malis (Merrick, N.Y./Bellmore JFK) made his first collegiate hit a double and junior 1B Drake Livada (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth) followed suit. The Rams added three more runs in the top of the fourth, including Barrett's second homer of the day, upping his season RBI total to 68. Senior 1B Anthony Iacopucci (Medford, Mass./Arlington Catholic) added a two-run double to close out the scoring. Jackson secured the win with Suffolk's second complete game of the day, scattering eight hits and striking out six to move to 6-3 on the season.
The game marked the final contest for Brandeis seniors Mike Alfego (Shrewsbury, Mass./St. Johns), Nick Gallagher (Southboro, Mass./St. Johns), John Clark (Falmouth, Mass./BC High), Jonah Mandell (New York, N.Y./Friends Seminary), James Collins (So. Boston, Mass./BB&N) and David Packard (Laguna Beach, Calif./Sage Hill School). The six end their career with 71 victories and two selections to the ECAC Division III New England tournament.