WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Lesley University started their 2015 campaign off on the right foot as the Lynx swept their season-opening doubleheader with a pair of victories over Bard College this afternoon at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla. The pair of wins marks the best start to a season in Lesley's brief program history.
Senior Ray Cohen (Coventry, Conn.) and freshman Tom Muratore (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) both earned victories on the mound for the Lynx as they move to 1-0, respectively, on the season.
Game One: Bard 7, Lesley 9
The Lynx fell behind early in game one as the Raptors pushed two runs across in the top of the second inning. Bard's lead did not last long, however, as the Lynx scored five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to stake a 5-2 advantage.
Lesley senior Adam Ciampi (Westford, Mass.) knocked in Lesley's first run of the day as he connected for a bases-loaded single that brought in sophomore Mike Slaby (Foxboro, Mass.). Two batters later, junior Casey Blanchard (Bernardston, Mass.) knocked in a pair of runs with a two-out single before he came around for Lesley's fifth run of the frame on a single by senior Joe Muratore (Mamaroneck, N.Y.).
Blanchard came through in the clutch again in the bottom of the third as cleared the bases with a two out, bases loaded double to push the Lesley's lead to 8-2.
Trailing 9-4 in the top of the seventh, the Raptors strung together three runs, two of which came on a two out double by Jeff Goldrosen. Goldrosen tried to stretch the double into a triple but a strong throw from Lynx centerfielder Robert Parson (Commack, N.Y.) gunned the Bard freshman down at third to end the game.
Blanchard finished the game a perfect 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, five RBI, and one run scored. Joe Muratore, Slaby, and Ciampi each finished with two hits apiece.
With his single in the top of the fifth inning, Parson became the first player in program history to become part of the '100 Hit Club." The senior has registered at least 29 hits in each of his three seasons and enter his final year with 99 base knocks in his career.
Cohen threw six strong innings for the Lynx, allowing seven hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out four Raptor batters.
Game Two: Lesley 12, Bard 4
A balanced offensive attack that saw seven Lynx hitters collect two or more hits aided a superb pitching performance for Tom Muratore in his first appearance of his career. The freshman went the distance, allowing eight hits, four runs (one earned), while striking out nine to earn the victory.
The Lynx never trailed as they used five runs in the second and two more in each the third and fourth as they jumped to a 9-1 lead after four innings before rolling to the 12-4 win.
Parson set up the offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the leadoff spot for the Lynx. Blanchard followed up his game one performance with a pair of hits and two more RBI while junior Gustavo Polidor (Caracas, Venezuela) finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored in his Lynx debut.
The Lynx are back in action down south tomorrow as they will play a twin-billing with the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Fla.