Greyhounds baseball beats SNHU (6-2); softball sweeps Merrimack (6,2, 3-1) in Northeast-10 Conference action

April 9, 2008

BASEBALL: Assumption 6, Southern New Hampshire 2

Sophomore lefthander MICHAEL COLEBROOK (Leicester, MA/Saint John's) pitched a complete game six-hitter and struck out six leading Assumption College baseball past Southern New Hampshire University, 6-2, in a Northeast-10 Conference game in Manchester, NH.

Freshman shortstop SHAWN FRIGON (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian) had the big hit for the Greyhounds, who broke open a 2-2 game in the ninth with four runs, as he doubled home a pair of runs.

In softball, the Greyhounds swept past Northeast-10 Conference rival Merrimack College, 6-2 and 3-1, in North Andover, MA.

In the first game, sophomore righthander MEGAN ORBON (Levittown, NY/MacArthur) scattered seven hits over 5.2 innings and stroked three hits to lead the Greyhounds. Senior catcher AMANDA MONGE (Reading, MA/Central Catholic) hammered a two-run home run in the first inning.

In game two, senior lefthander LAUREN SYMONICK (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) scattered eight hits to win her sixth game. Freshman outfielder BERNADETTE FUENTES (Hicksville, NYHoly Trinity) stroked a key two-run double in a three-run fifth inning.

BASEBALL: Southern New Hampshire opened the scoring as sophomore first baseman CHRIS O'NEIL (Chelmsford, MA/Chelmsford)---who played his high school baseball for Assumption College and Northeast 10 Conference Hall of Famer Mike O'Keefe (1988-92)---hit a solo home run in the second inning.

The Greyhounds moved to a 2-0 lead in the third inning as Frigon singled, was sacrificed into scoring position by junior outfielder STEVE SCANNELL (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) and scored on an RBI double by junior second baseman MIKE BAILLARGEON (Worcester, MA/Holy Name). Sophomore designated hitter MATTHEW JOSE (Warwick, RI/Bishop Hendricken) followed with an RBI single to center.

In the bottom of the third inning, senior third baseman BILL MURRAY (Canton, MA/Canton) singled across the game-tying run. The Hounds then won it with the four-run uprising in the ninth inning.

Junior outfielder JEFF BARBALE (Charlton, MA/St. Peter-Marian) opened with a single over the third-base bag and moved to second base as sophomore outfielder DEREK MIGRANTS (Ayer, MA/Ayer) singled to leftfield. Senior catcher CHRIS DESIMONE (Johnston, RI/Bishop Hendricken) sacrificed both runners into scoring position setting the stage for Frigon. Frigon then moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball for the third run. Baillargeon was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored an insurance run on an error.

The Greyhounds are next in action THURSDAY when they travel to Northeast-10 Conference rival Merrimack College at 3:30 p.m. Southern New Hampshire is now 4-19 overall and 2-11 in the conference and hosts Southern Connecticut Thursday.

SOFTBALL: in game one, sophomore outfielder MEGHAN DI VITTO (Milford, MA/Milford) singled to left and Monge ripped a two-run homer to open the scoring. The Greyhounds, now 9-9 overall and 5-3 in the Northeast-10 Conference, then exploded for four runs in the second inning.

The Greyhounds have swept conference doubleheaders from Southern Connecticut and Merrimack on back-to-back days and have moved into fifth-place in the conference standings. Merrimack is now 5-11 overall and 5-5 in the conference.

Sophomore third baseman COLLEEN CONROY (West Haven, CT/West Haven) opened with a single to left and was sacrificed into scoring position by freshman first baseman AMY GORDON (Seekonk, MA/Bishop Feehan). DiVitto then ripped a RBI single to right centerfield scoring Conroy.

Freshman shortstop MARISSA PALUMBO (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) (three hits in the game) then reached on an infield single and moved to second on an error which allowed DiVitto to come around with the second run of the inning. Freshman designated hitter ASHLEY BILODEAU (Manchester, CT/East Catholic) doubled to the right centerfield gap plating Palumbo. After Orbon singled, Bilodeau and Orbon worked a double steal for another insurance run.

Merrimack got RBI singles from junior outfielder JILL RICHARDS (Bucksport, ME/Bucksport) and senior second baseman KRISTIN HODDER (Pepperell, MA/North Middlesex) both coming in the third inning. Both Richards and Hodder had two hits each as did freshman outfielder JAMIE MILLETT (Hudson, MA/Hudson). Symonick came on with two out in the sixth inning to get a save.

In the nightcap, the Greyhounds' Symonick outdueled Merrimack junior righthander VICKY COTTER (Hampton, NH/Winnacunnet).

The Warriors got on the scoreboard first as senior outfielder CLARICE PEPPER (Belgrade, ME/Messalonskee) doubled to the left centerfield gap and scored on an RBI single by senior catcher KATIE CROWLEY (Leominster, MA/Saint Bernard's) in the second inning.

The Greyhounds' three-run fifth innng was highlighted by four successive hits. Orbon and junior outfielder MARY HANCOCK (Gardner, MA/Gardner) opened with singles. Junior second baseman MELISSA BOWMAN (West Hartford, CT/Conard) then stroked an RBI single to rightfield scoring Orbon and Fuentes followed with her two-run double.

The Greyhounds are next in action this weekend hosting doubleheaders at Marois Field with Dowling (Friday, 3 p.m.), Saint Michael's (Saturday, 1 p.m.) and Saint Anselm (Sunday, 1 p.m.). Merrimack hosts Southern New Hampshire Friday.

CLICK HERE FOR GAME ONE SOFTBALL BOX SCORE

CLICK HERE FOR GAME TWO SOFTBALL BOX SCORE

CLICK HERE FOR BASEBALL BOX SCORE