WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary baseball team dropped the middle of the game of its three game series 2-1 in 11 innings to Northeastern on Saturday afternoon at Plumeri Park. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 20-26, 10-13 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Huskies improve to 22-26, 12-8 in league action.
Again both teams found themselves in the midst of a pitcher's duel on Saturday. Sophomore starting pitcher Nick Brown tossed eight innings, allowing an unearned run on just two hits. He struck out a season-high 11-batters in the no decision. His counter part, Dustin Hunt also didn't factor into the decision, but allowed one run in seven innings with six strikeouts.
Offensively, freshman Zach Newell led the Tribe going 3-for-4 with a run scored in a double. Freshman Ryan Hall collected the team's lone RBI, while senior Willie Shaw extended his hitting streak to 12-games.
For the second day in a row, Northeastern jumped on the board first with a run in the top of the third inning. Maxwell Burt led off the inning with double off the left field wall, moving to third on a groundout. A two-out passed ball allowed Burt to score from third and gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
William & Mary came right back with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Newell sparked the rally with a double to left field, moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by classmate Cullen Large. The next batter, Hall flew out to right, but it was enough to tie the score at 1-1.
The Tribe had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the 10th inning. With two outs, W&M loaded the bases, but the Huskies were able to get the final out on fly out to center field, ending the threat.
Northeastern took the lead with a run in the top of the 11th inning. Pat Madigan led of the frame with a single up the middle. Mason Koppens came into run for him, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Josh Treff. With two outs, Nolan Lang fisted a bloop single into right field, giving the Huskies a 2-1 lead.
Junior Joseph Gaouette was saddled with his second loss of the season. He allowed one run on five hits in three innings, while fanning four.
The College and the Huskies conclude their three game series with the rubber game tomorrow, Sunday May 10 with a new start time of 12 p.m. Prior to the game W&M will honor its four seniors in a pregame ceremony slated for approximately 11:45 a.m.
