Claremont, NH- Stevens baseball hosted Gilford (1-0) on Friday evening at Barnes Park in Claremont to open their 2018 season. Despite timely hitting late that extended the game, the Cardinals fell short, losing 7-4 in nine innings.
Gilford added on to its 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh to try to put Stevens away. Adrian Sircvo hit a double down the third base line which scored two runs, and gave Gilford a 4-1 lead going to the bottom of the seventh. But, that would not be enough to get rid of the resilient Cardinals. Stevens ended up tying the game in the bottom of the seventh: With runners on first and second and one out, Stevens’ Ethan Johnson hit a two-RBI double and then reached third on a fielding error. Next up was Ty Bonneau, facing one out and a runner on third. Bonneau hit a chopper down the first base line that served as the prefect bunt. Johnson scored and Bonneau was safe at first. Stevens’ coach, Paul Silva, on the play, said, “[Johnson] made a great read on Tyler Bonneau’s infield single to score the tying run and send it into extra innings.”
With the score knotted at 4 runs apiece in the top of the eighth, Bonneau had a clutch defensive play. With two outs and a man on third, Bonneau fielded a tricky ground ball that ripped off the bat and got the man out at first. Stevens survived the top-half of the inning but weren’t able to generate offense in the bottom-half. In the top of the ninth, Gilford’s bats came alive and Drew Grenier was not able to pitch out of a jam. With two outs and the bases loaded, Sebastian Brodeur hit a blooper in a perfect gap between second base and right field and two runs scored. Another base hit would bring the score to 7-4 in favor of Gilford going to the bottom of the ninth.
Ty Bonneau led off the inning with a single, then stole second, and reached third on a wild pitch. However, Stevens was not able to use this hot start to the inning. The next two batters struck out and then the game ended with a fly out to right field. Stevens was able to compete with a tough Gilford team that beat Winnisquam 11-0 on Wednesday.
Derrick Stanhope pitched until Drew Grenier took over in the sixth. Paul Silva, on his pitching Friday, said, “I thought Derrick Stanhope did a nice job for us today for his first time out. He pitched his way out of some jams and I thought he did a good job keeping his composure and staying focused. Drew Grenier did a great job in relief, and he also had to work hard to get out of some tough spots.”
Johnson, Bonneau, and Brendan Bean each had two hits for the Cardinals. Alex Taylor made a great diving catch in the 4th and doubled the runner off second base for a big double play in his first varsity baseball game for Stevens.
When asked how his team played on Friday, coach Silva said, “I thought the kids played a great game, I am proud of the way they battled all game, and found a way to tie it with 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th. We had two players making their varsity debut and two others who had very limited experience at this level last year. I was really proud of their effort tonight. They refused to give up and it being our first game I think the young kids played a great game.”
Stevens baseball is at Monadnock on Wednesday, April 18 for their second game of the season.
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