FT. MYERS, FL – Union (1-6, 0-4) was still unable to solve St. Lawrence 8-2, 4-0) as they suffered three losses to the Saints down South. The first game was a continuation of yesterday's rainout with St. Lawrence taking a 17-4 win at PC Park in Port Charlotte. The teams played a doubleheader later in the day at Terry Park in Fort Myers and the Saints took both of those by scores of 9-2 and 11-10. Eric Giovannone (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) had two hits in four at-bats and one run scored for Union in the first game. Carson Strang (Shaker Heights, OH/Shaker Heights) paced the Dutchmen in the third game with four hits in five at-bats and three runs scored.

 

St. Lawrence held an 8-3 lead in the top of the fifth inning when game one resumed. They added to that total with seven runs in the seventh. Union managed one run in the sixth. John McKelligan (Canton, MA/Salisbury) went the distance for Union, allowing eight earned runs on 18 hits with four strikeouts. Mike Gipson picked up the win for St. Lawrence. He allowed just three earned runs on eight hits in seven innings of work.

 

The opening game of the twinbill saw Union score both of its runs in the top of the first inning for the early advantage. The Saints came back with six runs over the next four innings, including three in the fourth and added three more in sixth. The Dutchmen committed six errors in the game. McKelligan doubled in the first inning to bring in both runs for Union. Tim Malisa had two hits with two runs and three RBIs to lead St. Lawrence. Josh White picked up the win with 11 strikeouts and just two earned runs on six hits. Kevin McCormick (Utica, NY/Utica) took the loss for Union, allowing six earned runs on 13 hits. He had four strikeouts.

 

In the nightcap Union scored six runs in the first inning to jump out to a commanding lead but St. Lawrence chipped away before scoring seven runs in sixth to claim a 9-8 advantage. Each team plated a pair of runs in the eighth inning and the Dutchmen could not manufacture any offense in the ninth to produce a comeback. The Saints capitalized on only one Union error to score six unearned runs.  

 

A St. Lawrence error with two outs opened the door for Union's offensive strike in the top of the first inning. Ryan Bowes (Hamilton, NJ/The Peddic School) capped off the six-run frame with a two-run double to bring in Zach Tillo (Lancaster, MA/Exeter) and Jeff Viamari (Longmeadow, MA/Tabor Academy).

 

Union relief pitcher Brian Hurley (Greece, NY/Greece Athena) allowed two earned runs on three hits in two and one-third innings of work in the loss. Starter Matt Sheehan (Lexington, MA/Bellmont Hill) had five strikeouts and allowed just three earned runs on nine hits.

 

Relief pitcher Mike Root pitched one and two-thirds innings for the win. He did not allow any hits and had two strikeouts. Starting pitcher Troy Lassial struck out six batters and surrendered four earned runs on 16 hits.