Photo Courtesy of Emma Daniels/Franklin Pierce Athletics
RINDGE, N.H. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Baseball team suffered a 3-0 setback to Goldey-Beacom College in the opening game of the NCAA Division II East Regional at Franklin Pierce University on Thursday afternoon. The Spartans now stand at 25-6 on the year, with Goldey-Beacom improving to 21-7.
Andrew Jemison and Anthony Maisano picked up the only hits on the day for STAC, both in the bottom of the eighth inning, after Lightning starter Jake Heskett left the game for reliever Jake Kinsell. Heskett pitched seven no-hit innings, walking six and striking out four enroute to picking up not only his second win of the season, but his team's first-ever NCAA tournament victory in their inaugrual tourney contest. Kinsell earned his second save of the year, giving up just two hits and striking out three over the final two innings.
Alex Mack got the start for the Spartans and pitched well, but fell into trouble in the top of the fourth inning when Trent Hearn stroked a two-out single to right field, followed by an Ivan Solis walk to put runners on base for Goldey-Beacom. A balk then moved the runners to second and third respectively, before a Bryan Bell 2-RBI double to right field would plate both Hearn and Solis to make it 2-0 in favor of the Lightning. Mack would suffer his first loss of 2021, going six innings and giving up five hits and two runs (two earned), while walking two and fanning eight.
Justin Baeyans would be called upon to pitch the seventh and eighth innings for STAC and threw two scoreless innings, only giving up a hit and striking out one. Dylan Leahy would get the nod in the ninth and gave up a one-out single to Bryan Bell, who would then be advanced to second base via a sacrifice bunt. A Mason Maxwell single to right field would score Bell to make it a 3-0 Goldey Beacom, which would be the final tally. Leahy's one inning of work saw him give up two hits and a run (one earned), while K'ing two.
NCAA DIVISION II EAST REGIONAL GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS - GOLDEY-BEACOM 3/STAC 0
| 4th Inning - Bryan Bell doubled to right field, 2 RBI; Ivan Solis scored; Trent Hearn scored. | 2 - 0 GBC |
| 9th Inning - Mason Maxwell singled to right field, RBI; Bryan Bell scored. | 3 - 0 GBC |
| PITCHERS | Innings Pitched | Hits | Runs | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Mack (L, 7-1) | 6.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Justin Baeyens | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Dylan Leahy | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 0 |
FACTS & FIGURES
- The Spartans posted 0 runs on 2 hits, while Goldey-Beacom earned 3 runs on 8 hits.
- STAC pitchers struck out 11 Lightning batters, while issuing 2 walks.
- St. Thomas Aquinas stranded 8 runners on base. Goldey-Beacom left 10.
UP NEXT
The Spartans (0-1) will take on the loser of #1 Southern New Hampshire vs. #6 Dominican, in the first elimination game of the tournament, on Friday, May 28. First pitch is scheduled for 11am in Rindge, NH.
2021 NCAA BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP EAST REGIONAL
Hosted by Franklin Pierce University
Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field (Rindge, N.H.)
Double elimination (seeds in parentheses)
Minimum 45 minutes between games, unless otherwise noted
Thursday, May 27
Game 1: Goldey-Beacom 3/St. Thomas Aquinas 0
Game 2: Molloy 13/Franklin Pierce 5
Game 3: Southern New Hampshire 5/Dominican 1
Friday, May 28
Game 4: #6 Dominican vs. #2 St. Thomas Aquinas - 11 a.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 5: #1 Southern New Hampshire vs. #4 Franklin Pierce - 3 p.m. (Game 2 Loser eliminated with loss)
Game 6: #5 Goldey-Beacom vs. #3 Molloy - 7 p.m.
If four teams remain after Game 6, the following schedule will be used:
Saturday, May 29
Game 7: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner - 11 a.m.
Game 8: Game 6 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner - 3 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 9: Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Winner - 7 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Sunday, May 30
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner - Noon
Game 11: Game 10 rematch* - 40 minutes after conclusion of Game 10
* Game 11 only necessary if Game 9 Winner wins Game 10.
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If five teams remain after Game 6, the following schedule will be used:
Saturday, May 29
Game 7: Game 5 Loser vs. Game 6 Loser - 11 a.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 8: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner - 3 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner - 7 p.m. (Game 7 Winner eliminated with loss)
If two teams remain after Game 9, the following schedule will be used:
Sunday, May 30
Game 10: Game 8 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner - Noon
Game 11: Game 10 rematch* - 40 minutes after conclusion of Game 10
* Game 11 only necessary if Game 8 Winner wins Game 10.
If three teams remain after Game 9, the following schedule will be used:
Sunday, May 30
Game 10: Game 8 Winner vs. Game 9 Loser - Noon (loser eliminated)
Game 11: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner - 3:30 p.m.