Endicott’s Win Streak Snapped by Amherst

LAKELAND, Fla. – Endicott's baseball team suffered its first loss of the 2013 season on Thursday afternoon, dropping a 5-2 decision to Amherst at Henley Field to stop a four game season-starting win streak.

Amherst freshman right fielder Mike Odenwaelder (Goshen, Conn.)  was 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and catcher Conner Gunn (Kingsport, Tenn.) scored twice, including on his own two-run homer in the sixth inning, the first long ball surrendered by Gulls pitching this season.

The three-run inning capped the scoring for the Lord Jeffs, giving them a 5-0 lead before Endicott managed single runs in the sixth and seventh.

Sophomore second baseman Harry Oringer (Dartmouth, Mass.) had a hand in both of Endicott's runs, scoring once and driving in the second, both on out-making plays. He crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Michael Cahill (Plymouth, Mass.) and drove home freshman right fielder Steve Morganelli (Milford, Mass.) an inning later with a groundout to second base.

Odenwaelder singled home Gunn in the first and then scored an unearned run in the fifth before the Gunn blast in the sixth doubled the Lord Jeff's advantage.

The Gulls had their best chance to add to their lead in the sixth inning, with E.J. Martinez (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Corbin Hyde (Lewiston, Maine) on-base with one out, but they were both stranded in scoring position as Endicott left eight players on base in the game.

Amherst outhit the Gulls 8-7 and took advantage of three Endicott miscues, though they made two errors themselves.

Freshman Jon Branch (Milford, Mass.) took the loss for Endicott, falling to 0-1, despite pitching well for seven innings. Branch allowed just two earned runs on seven hits and struck out four, while issuing three walks.

Endicott lefty Zac Poland (Essex Junction, Vt.) provided two innings of shutout relief with two strikeouts for the Gulls.

Sophomore John Cook (Winnetka, Ill.) earned the victory for the Lord Jeffs, allowing just two runs, one of them earned over seven innings. Cook allowed six hits and three walks, but struck out nine batters.

Junior Eric Kotin (New York, N.Y.) picked up the save with his two innings of work for Amherst.

The Gulls (4-1) continue their participation at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational on Friday morning with a 9:30 am game against William Paterson at Chain of Lakes Field #3 in Winter Haven, Fla.

Amherst (5-2) will play a double-header against Ramapo on Friday, starting at 1:30 pm at Chain of Lakes Field 1.