PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – The Union College baseball team dropped its season opening games to the defending Liberty League champion St. Lawrence, falling 5-1 in the first game, and 2-0 in the nightcap.

 

In the opener, Union took a one-run lead in the third inning as Scott Carroll (Scituate, MA/Scituate) led off the frame with a double to right. Carroll advanced on a single up the middle by Union catcher Ryan Bowes (Hamilton, NJ/ The Peddie School). Kyle Murphy (Plymouth, MA/ Philips Andover) scored Carroll on a single to right.

 

St. Lawrence opened up the game with three runs in the fourth inning. Andrew Engebretson reached on a fielding error, advanced to second on a single up the middle by Joe Regonlinski and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Ryan Duff. Regonlinski then advanced as Chris Donaldson was hit by a pitch and then scored when Joel Kocan doubled down the left field line. Ryan Kimber scored Donaldson on a single before the inning ended with Kocan getting caught between Bowes and third baseman Zach Tillo (Lancaster, MA/ Exeter).

 

The Saints added two runs in the seventh inning after loading the bases on a series of walks. Rengonlinski collected two RBI with a single down the left field line before ending the inning on a Duff fly out to center and a Donaldson strikeout.

 

Union starter Josh McKelligan (Canton, MA/ Salisbury School) made his first start of the season, striking out five and allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings. St. Lawrence's Mike Gipson earned the win with a complete game effort including seven strikeouts.

 

In the second game, St. Lawrence picked up runs in the third and ninth innings. Matt Carrigg singled up the middle, stole second and scored on a single by Matt Yaworski to take a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

 

The Saints threatened in the top of the fifth inning with runners on the corners, but Union's Pat Wilson (Cos Cob, CT) made a diving catch in center and then made the relay throw to tag out the runner at third. St. Lawrence added a run in the ninth on an RBI triple by Yaworski.

 

Union pitcher Mike Donovan (Trumbull, CT/ Trumbull) allowed one earned run in eight innings before being relieved by Brian McLaughlin (Norwood, NJ/ Old Tappan). St. Lawrence righty Chris Kerr earned the win with eight strikeouts a complete game effort.

 

The two teams square off again on Saturday, March 24 in a 9:00 a.m. Liberty League doubleheader at Fort Myers, Florida.