NEC baseball falls to WPI

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England College baseball team falls to Worcester Polytechnic Institute 5-1 at the New England Baseball Complex, non-conference action Friday afternoon.

Records: Pilgrims (9-3, 0-0 NECC) | Engineers 10-1, 0-0 NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Christian Aybar continued to carry a hot bat, as he led off the game with a triple down the right-field line. Aybar would score on a groundout to the shortstop.

WPI would answer New England College’s with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, as Ryan Tropeano crossed the plate on a wild pitch. Topeano would drive in a pair of runs in his next plate appearance, as he tripled down the right field line, plating a pair of runs.

Both offenses were held in check, until the bottom of the fifth, as Tyrone Patterson hit a home run to center field, giving the Engineers the 4-1 advantage. The next inning, David Larson followed Patterson’s long shot, with a home run of his own, pushing the lead up to 5-1.

In the top of the ninth, NEC threatened with the bases loaded, but a routine fly ball to right would end the game.

Stanley Vargas went the distance on the mound for the Pilgrims, as the junior struck out 10 over eight innings of work.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

This was the 5th meeting all-time. WPI now has won all five matchups.

This is the fourth time the New England College’s pitching staff has struck out 10+ batters this season, they are now 2-2 in those games.

UP NEXT

Saturday, March 16th vs. WPI, at New England Baseball Complex, 12/3 p.m.