Chris Alberto (Trumbull, Conn.) went 4-for-4 with a home run to lead the Western Connecticut State Colonials to a 9-8 non-conference victory over the Albertus Magnus baseball team on Thursday afternoon.
A six-run third inning paved the way for the Colonials in the win as they picked up their ninth victory of the season. With the loss, the Falcons fell to 4-12 on the year.
After WCSU took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Alberto's lead-off home run, Albertus scored two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 advantage. After Fanol Prevalla (Berlin, Conn.) reached base on an infield error, the freshman advanced to third on a Kyle Calechman (North Haven, Conn.) single. Both Falcons scored as freshman Anthony Pellegrino (Branford, Conn.) recorded a two-RBI base hit to give Albertus the lead.
The Falcons added two more runs in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead as Prevalla recorded an RBI single to score Jon Almonte (New York, N.Y.) from second. A ground out to third base by Calechman plated Andre Eason (Waterbury, Conn.) from third for the Falcons' fourth run of the contest.
The Colonials tallied six runs in the third inning thanks to six hits, including a grand slam from Mike Yates (Guilford, Conn.). Three straight singles opened the frame before Yates' fourth home run of the season. After a Conor Bierfeldt (Torrington, Conn.) triple, the junior was able to score on a groundout to second base. The Colonials final run of the frame came with two outs as Tim Nelson (Manchester, Conn.) homered to give WCSU a 7-4 lead.
Albertus added another run in the fourth inning as Prevalla led off the frame with a double before moving to third on a groundout. He was able to score on a sacrifice fly from Calechman, his first of the year.
WCSU added two more runs in the top of the fifth to extend its lead to 9-5. The Falcons battled in the bottom of the frame and added three runs to cut the lead to one but their late-inning rally wasn't enough. Almonte recorded his first career home run to make the score 9-7 before Eason scored on an RBI single from Zak Sokolis (Meriden, Conn.).
Daniel Kmiechick (Barnegat, N.J.) started the contest on the hill for the Falcons and went 2.2 innings as he allowed eight hits and seven earned runs. With the loss, he falls to 0-3 on the year. Jeff Piscitelli (Wallingford, Conn.) came out of the bullpen for the Falcons and threw two innings of work, while allowing two runs and two hits. Nick Sedia (Bronx, N.Y.) threw the final 2 1/3 innings as he gave up just one hit, while striking out two.
WCSU's Alex Iannone earned the win as he went 4.2 innings, while striking out four batters. Alberto earned the save for his first of the year.
