Box Score

Winter Haven, FL – The Union College baseball team opened the 2009 campaign at the 2009 Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational with a 6-3 loss against upstate New York foe Hamilton on Saturday. Sophomore third baseman Dane Flavin led the Dutchmen, going 2-for-3, while Senior pitcher Matt Sheehan struck out five.

 

Junior first baseman Colin McKelligan and Junior second baseman Andy Brown each produced RBIs. McKelligan went 1-for-4, while Brown was 1-for-4 with a double.

 

Sheehan went 6.1 innings, allowing five earned runs, before sophomore Gregory Wyman pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.

 

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Dutchmen rallied with a hard-hit lead-off single through the left side by senior centerfielder Pat Wilson in the top of the second. Flavin singled two batters later, placing runners on the corner, but Hamilton junior pitcher Max Foster got out of the jam with two straight pop outs.

 

Hamilton took a 2-0 lead in the second thanks to a double in the leftfield gap by freshman right fielder Sam Choate, allowing sophomore catcher Kyle Mason to score on the throw.

 

The Dutchmen rallied in the top of the seventh when Brown doubled to score freshman Nicholas Ranalli, who was pinch running for Flavin. Union nearly tied the game, but a play at the play denied the equalizer.

 

The Continentials unloaded for four runs in the seventh, Union started to mount a comeback after sophomore leftfielder Hotaling led off with a single. After a walk, McKelligan singled to drive in a run. Senior catcher Ryan Bowes, who walked before McKelligan's at bat, scored on a groundout by junior John Johnston.

Foster earned the win for Hamilton, striking out six in 7.0 innings of work.

The Dutchmen return to the diamond on Sunday, Mar. 22 for a doubleheader against Western Connecticut State at noon at the Lake Myrtle Field Two in Winter Haven, FL.