Baseball Explodes for 16-9 Win Over Eastern Nazarene

Quincy, Mass.—Framingham State University's baseball team took advantage of early defensive lapses by Eastern Nazarene to score 15 runs, all unearned, in the first two innings of Thursday's non-conference matchup with the Lions to grab a road victory 16-9. With the win The Rams improve to 13-15 overall, while the loss drops the Lions to 8-24 on the year.

Framingham broke things wide open in the first as the Rams sent 14 hitters to the plate in the inning to put together ten runs in the opening frame. Chris Blydell (Lynn, Mass.) and Sean Callahan (Watertown, Mass.) provided the firepower for the offense after four walks and an error accounted for the majority of the first five runs. Blydell doubled home two runners before Callahan launched a three run double off of the top of the fence in straight away centerfield. Will Crofton (Hopkinton, Mass.) followed with a double that scored Callahan to cap the explosive first run inning.

The Lions picked up a run in the home half of the first as Luke Matthews doubled and Jose Delvillar singled him home to make a scratch in the large early deficit.

The Rams took advantage of three more walks and another infield error to add five more runs in their half of the second. Callahan picked up three more runs batted in as the senior launched a three run homer to straight away right field to put Framingham up 15-1.

Eastern Nazarene pitcher Matt Jayne settled in nicely for the Lions as the freshman threw 5 1/3 innings of relief, allowing just one earned run to give the Lions a chance to recover from early trouble.

The Lions added two more runs in the bottom of the third as Danny Rodriguez doubled home Matthew and later scored on an errant throw after a wild pitch to bring the score to 15-3 in favor of Framingham.

Eastern Nazarene continued to fight as sophomore third baseman Ben Bergeron launched a three run home run to right. Bergeron's first career homer brought them to within nine.

Eastern Nazarene picked up two additional runs in the eighth and one more in the ninth but could not muster enough to overcome the Rams large lead.

Rob McLaughlin (Plymouth, Mass.) picked up the win on the mound for Framingham as the junior allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched while striking out five.

Callahan had a monster day at the plate for the Rams as he finished 2 for 3 with two walks and six RBI and three runs scored.  Blydell reached base three times picking up two hits and also scoring three times.

Matthews paced the Eastern Nazarene offense going an impressive 4 for 5 with three doubles and two runs scored. Rodriguez also finished with three hits, an RBI and two runs scored to support the Lions' comeback efforts.

The Lions will play next on Saturday as they host The Commonwealth Coast Conference opponent Nichols College at 12:30 PM with a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. Framingham will travel to MASCAC opponent Fitchburg State University tomorrow for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.

Release courtesy of ENC Sports Information.