New Haven, Conn. – The Albertus Magnus College baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader at home to Elms College on Wednesday afternoon at Rochford Field. The Blazers spoiled the Falcons home debut with a 12-4 triumph in game one and a 1-0 victory in game two.
Albertus Magnus sees its five-game winning streak come to an end with the two setbacks to move to 5-6 on the spring, while Elms improved to 17-2 overall and ran their winning streak to five games.
In the opener, the Blazers took advantage of five Falcon miscues. The visitors jumped out to an early edge with three runs in the top of the first. The guests stretched their lead to five in the third with two unearned runs. AMC finally got on the board in the home half of the third as senior infielder Tyler Robertson (Cheshire, Conn.) lined a double to right center that brought freshman leadoff hitter Tyriq Harris (Waterbury, Conn.) racing home.
Elms pulled away with seven runs over the last three frames. Albertus Magnus capped the scoring in the contest as Robertson once again had an RBI double in the home half of the seventh.
On the bump, AMC junior starter Jon Criscio (East Haven, Conn.) was saddled with the loss after going four and one third innings and surrendering seven runs (just four of which were earned). On the opposite side, Kyle Bartlett recorded his second win of the year. Bartlett tossed five innings and allowed three runs.
At the dish Robertson accounted for most of the Falcon offense, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
The finale was a pitchers duel as the two squads combined for just 11 hits and one run. Albertus Magnus junior righty Christoper Rivera (New Britain, Conn.) was the tough-luck loser, going the distance and scattering four hits while allowing one earned run. Three Blazer pitchers combined for the shutout as Anthony Palumbo worked three innings for his first win, while Nolan Medeiros threw a scoreless seventh to record his second save of the season.
Elms pushed the game's lone run across in the top of the fourth. The visitors opened the frame with back-to-back singles to place runners on the corners. Junior Tim Gelzinis followed with a sac fly to bring Stephen Harrison charging home for the eventual game-winning score.
Albertus threatened in the bottom of the seventh putting the game-tying run in scoring position with one out. On the ensuing play, AMC freshman Dean Gullo (Northford, Conn.) flew out to deep centerfield and pinch runner Criscio was gunned down at third to end the contest.
Prior to the game, the Albertus Magnus athletic department held a special opening day ceremony. Albertus Magnus College Trustee Ray Peach and town of Hamden Development Director Dale Kroop both threw out ceremonial first pitches.
Albertus Magnus returns to action on Saturday, March 26, with a road non-conference doubleheader against Westfield State beginning at noon.
For the latest information on the baseball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.
