BOX SCORE

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – After an offensive-based battle, the Union College baseball team defeated the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 14-8 on Tuesday at Central Park. The Dutchmen move to 10-6 overall after the non-league contest, while the Trailblazers sit at 9-10.

Despite falling behind to a 1-0 lead in the second inning, Union struck back in the bottom of the third, scoring eight runs to take control of the game. Freshman James Mulpeter started things off with a single through the right side and a stolen base to give the Dutchmen the advantage. Junior Jason Cohen then reached on a throwing error by Alon Willing, allowing Mulpeter to reach third base. Another infield error moved the rookie across home plate to put Union on the board.

The Dutchmen continued their offensive attack, with Cohen scoring as junior Tyler Heck was hit by the pitch with bases loaded. Sophomore David Peretti then doubled to right field, earning two RBIs with junior Dylan Katz-Wicks and sophomore Vincent Esposito reaching home to move the score to 4-1. Soon a series of mistakes would extend Union's lead to seven runs. With the bases loaded, junior Matt Barretto was hit by the pitch, allowing Heck to score. Soon after, Peretti reacted quickly to a wild pitch, scoring as Barretto and sophomore Joe Bradlee advanced to second and third base, respectively. Cohen then returned to bat, singling to right field to bring home Barretto and Bradlee for two RBIs.

The Trailblazers were seemingly unaffected by Union's surge, scoring three runs in the fourth inning. MCLA's Chris Koch doubled down the left field line, allowing Cody Weaver and Derek Lescarbeau to score for two RBIs. Koch then scored as DJ Clark singled to center field, moving the score to 8-4.

However, Union's lead would remain at four runs, with the Dutchmen scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth and MCLA recording two runs in the top of the fifth.

The Dutchmen would extend their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, beginning with a single through the right side from Esposito. The sophomore then stole second, minutes before Katz-Wicks hit an infield single. The junior was able to advance to second base after a throwing error by Willing, which led to an unearned run from Esposito. Earning his third RBI of the game, Peretti doubled to center field, allowing Katz-Wicks to score. To end the inning, Peretti scored after an infield single from Bradlee, giving the Dutchmen a 13-6 advantage.

Despite late-game runs from Lescarbeau and Sean Coyle, the Trailblazers could not come back to overtake the Dutchmen. Rhoda struck out Ryan Shewchuk and Clark to end the match at 14-8.

Union returns to action tomorrow, April 4^th, to take on Utica College in another non-conference contest. The game will begin at 4:00 p.m. at Central Park.