Matt Borelli, Staff Writer:
The Southern Connecticut State University baseball team improved to 19-0 following a 12-2 win over American
International College. With the win, it signified the best start in program history.
“It is very big step for the program,” said Head Coach Tim Shea. “We just take it one game at a time.”
Sophomore Steve Landell pitched six innings of one-hit ball and struck out eleven for the win. Landell scattered five walks and one unearned run.
The Owls, who rank fifth in the nation, struck first with a two run double by Ryan Geffert in the first inning that got the Owls on pace for a big scoring day. Geffert went 4-4 on the day with four RBI.
The Owls got back at it again against opposing pitcher Geoff McCowat who was roughed up for 11 hits and eight earned runs in just 4.1 innings. Nick DeProspo walked to load the bases and Kyle Rosadino took a 3-2 fastball and blasted it to left center to drive in two runs to increase the Owl lead to 4-0. Geffert
then stepped in and hit a broken bat single to drive in another and the Owls took a lead into the third inning 5-0.
“We were hitting well and Steve pitched very good,” said shortstop Kyle Cummings. “It feels good to be 19-0 at this point.”
After tacking on another run in the third, Cummings led off the fourth with a triple and was driven in two batters later by Rosadino for his third RBI on the day and a 6-0 lead. Rosadino stole second and then third base on consecutive pitches and Geffert doubled off the wall to increase the lead to 7-0.
Landell struck out the side in the fifth and gave up a run in the sixth following an error on Cummings. Kyle McNiff then hit a grounder up the middle and the run scored. Dillon Fontaine then grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning and the day for Landell.
“I just tried to throw strikes and put my team into position for a win,” said Landell, who earned his third win on the season.
The Owls’ bats went right back to work in the bottom half of the sixth adding three more runs against relief pitched Sam Morgan. Cummings walked and was thrown out at second on a fielder’s choice.
With one out and man on first, Rosadino and Geffert were hit by pitches back to back and the bases were loaded. A.J. Rouleau came to the plate and drove one run in with a single.
Following an infield fly, Michael Cleary hit a broken bat two RBI double to increase the Owl lead 11-1.
Will Meade came in relief of Landell and pitched three innings, giving up one run on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Each team scored a run in the eighth and Meade shut down the side in the ninth to notch the victory for the Owls 12-2.
The Owls traveled up to St. Rose the next day and came away victorious winning 8-4 and continuing their win streak to 20-0.
Southern finally lost this season, losing the second game of a double header against Franklin Pierce last week, ending their win streak at 22. The Owls were the last undefeated team in all three levels
of NCAA college baseball.
