ASTON, Pa.—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) baseball team took down the Lions from Penn State Brandywine in both games of an evening doubleheader to open its spring season on Friday, Mar. 18.
Game 1: W, 9-4 [BOX]
The SeaWolves jumped on the board in the first frame when first-year Justin Colon (Aguada, Puerto Rico) produced a lead-off walk and came around to score on a pass ball. With the score knotted 4-4 and the bases loaded in the seventh, the SeaWolves worked five consecutive walks to tack on five runs. First-year Kalin Marum (Port Kembla, Australia) would retire the side in the bottom of the inning to earn his fourth victory of the year.
First-year Joseph Townsend (Scarborough, Maine) went 3-4 with a walk and four RBI. First-year Anthony Sayers (Benoni, South Africa) served as SMCC's starter and three-hitter. As a pitcher, Sayers threw 4.2 innings and allowed three runs (none earned) over three hits. As the plate, he scored a run and walked three times.
Game 2: W, 9-3 [BOX]
The SeaWolves struck first in the second inning but Brandywine would score in both the fifth and sixth innings to lead 3-2. It was again late-inning magic by the SMCC offense to string together five hits and seven runs in the sixth to gain comfortable separation.
First-year Gabriel Rivera (Caguas, Puerto Rico) and Sayers combined for four RBI and three runs.
Four SMCC pitchers combined to no-hit the Lions. First-year Tyler Apodaca (Kittery Point, Maine) made the start and collected nine strikeouts over four innings. Townsend tossed the final two innings to record the victory.
Following the games, Head Coach Nic Lops commented, "Fantastic team win for the SeaWolves baseball team. Very proud of all my guys for showing great mental toughness all day long. After being on a bus for nine hours and getting a shortened warm-up due to late arrival, these guys pulled together to earn two important wins."
SMCC improves on its fall record and stands 10-3 overall. Brandywine slips to 5-7 overall.
The SeaWolves will finish their road trip with a doubleheader at Penn State Scranton on Sunday, Mar. 20. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
For the latest on SMCC's athletic programs, log onto GoSMCCSeawolves.com or follow Southern Maine Community College Athletics on Twitter @SMCCseawolves and on Facebook SMCC Seawolves.
