WALTHAM, MASS – With a double and 3 RBI from sophomore catcher Chris Ferro (Walpole, Mass./Walpole), the Brandeis University baseball team defeated Suffolk University, 6-4 this afternoon on Stein Diamond. With the win, the Judges improve to 11-10 on the season, while the Rams fall to 7-7.
Suffolk got on the board early in the first inning. On the first at bat of the game, senior SS Mark Addesa (Revere, Mass./Revere) doubled and advanced to third on a sacrifice fly to center field. With two out, senior OF Andrew Babb (Ashland, Mass./Ashland) singled to bring Addesa home for the RBI, making the game 1-0.
The Rams brought in another run in the top of the third. An error by the 2B allowed rookie 2B Devan Jones (Roslindale, Mass./Catholic Memorial) to score from second, giving Suffolk at 2-0 lead.
Not to be denied, Brandeis made a comeback in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore OF Nick Cortese (Guaynabo, P.R./Baldwin School of Puerto Rico) singled and advanced to second on a single from senior pitcher Pat Nicholson (E. Walpole, Mass./Walpole). Ferro bunted, plating Cortese. An error on the play advanced Nicholson to third and Ferro to second. With two on and two out, junior 2B Sean O'Hare ( Southampton, Mass./Hampshire Reg.) made a sacrifice hit to bring in Nicholson for the RBI and allow Ferro to score, ending the inning with the Judges up 3-2.
In the top of the fifth, Senior RF Andew Babb (Ashland, Mass./Shland) doubled advancing the runner, Jones, to third. Jones scored on a fielders choice to knot the game, 3-3.
The Judges sealed the game in the bottom of the fifth with another three-run inning. Sophomore LF Dylan Britton (Poughquag, N.Y./Arlington) reach on an error and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by rookie SS Dom Schwartz (San Francisco, Calif./Lowell). Britton moved into scoring position on a ground out to second base from senior CF Tony Deshler (Lowell, Mass./Lowell). Cortese reached on an error, plating Britton. Nicholson singled into left field, advancing Cortese to second. Ferro doubled for 2 RBI, sending Cortese and Nicholson home.
Suffolk plated one more run in the eighth inning. Rookie Jake Cintolo (Wrentham, Mass./King Philip) singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior catcher Mark Annese (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) singled, plating Cintolo for the RBI.
The Rams were lead by Babb, with his three hits and an RBI. Jones, and Annese were the only other Suffolk players with multiple hits. Earning the loss from the mound was junior righty Tim Belanger (Raynham, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) pitching 4.0 innings, allowing four hits, three runs and striking out just two batters.
For the Judges, Cortese, Nicholson and Ferro had two hits a piece, with Ferro posting a double and 3 RBI. O'Hare had the teams' only other RBI. Senior righty John McGrath (New York, N.Y./Trevor Day) earned his fourth straight win, pitching 7.1 innings, allowing nine hits, four runs and striking out five batters. Nicholson earned the save, pitching one inning, striking out two and allowing only one hit.
The Judges are in action again on Saturday when they face off against WPI on Stein Diamond.
Suffolk takes the diamond again tomorrow when they host Bridgewater State.