The Sacred Heart Club Baseball team traveled north to Boston, Massachusetts Saturday, April 13th as they faced the Northeastern Huskies in a three-game conference series. The Pioneers did not fare well on the weekend, losing all three games by scores of 10-0, 3-2, and 9-0.
In Game One, the Pioneers were led by junior captain Thomas Kenn who went 2 for 3, and freshman catcher Aaron Ariza who went 1 for 2. On the mound, sophomore Zach Dezinski went 2 and 2/3 innings allowing 6 runs on 7 hits while striking out 3 batters and surrendering 5 walks. Senior Anthony Stackhouse relieved Dezinski and went on to pitch 1 and 2/3 giving up only 1 run on 1 hit while walking 3 batters. Freshman Gabe Santarcangelo stepped on the hill next for the Pioneers, going 1 inning allowing 3 runs (2 earned) and senior Thomas Parrish finished off the game walking 2 batters.
Game two of Saturday's doubleheader was much more entertaining than game one as it saw the Huskies and Pioneers in a pitchers duel. Senior ace Patrick Mahan led the Pioneers on the hill going 6 and 2/3 allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 12 Northeastern batters. Mahan got the first out in the bottom of the seventh inning before walking the next two Northeastern batters. Junior closer Justin Pesco was called on to shut the door for the Pioneers but after hitting the first batter he faced and walking the next the game was all tied up at two. Freshman lefty Braden Golden was the losing pitcher on the day after giving up 2 hits and 1 run during the bottom of the 8th inning. Offensively the Pioneers were led by junior Thomas Kenn who went 1 for 3 scoring 1 run and registering 1 RBI. Senior Christian Campo went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI, freshman Brian McGovern went 1 for 4 registering 1 run, and freshman Luke Blasi went 1 for 3 with a walk.
Game three was played on Sunday, April 14th. The Pioneers started freshman Braden Golden who went 4 innings allowing 5 runs on 10 hits with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. Senior Mike Moran came on in relief and went 2 and 1/3 surrendering 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits. Thomas Kenn made his pitching debut after relieving Moran in the sixth inning. The junior went 2/3 of an inning with 1 strikeout. Sophomore Nicholas Scura finished out the day on the hill for the Pioneers going 1 inning and walking 1 Northeastern batter without surrendering a hit. Offensively, the Pioneers were led by senior Christian Campo who went 1 for 4, freshman Brian McGovern 1 for 3, and freshman catcher Andrew Civetta 1 for 4.
The Pioneers are back in action for the season finale as they host the University of New Hampshire on Saturday, April 20th and Sunday, April 21st. Saturday, both teams will play a doubleheader with the first pitch slated for 10 am while on Sunday, the Pioneers will honor their 2024 senior class. Sunday's nine-inning game will also start at 10 am and the senior class will be honored post-game at Veterans Memorial Park.
