Monroe drops two to Mercyhurst NE

By Paul Gotham

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The nine-game winning streak came to a screeching halt…and then some.

A pair of Mercyhurst NE (11-6/2-0) hurlers went the distance as the Saints took two (2-1/4-2) from the Monroe Community College Tribunes (13-10/0-2) in WNYAC action at Tribune Field, Thursday afternoon.

Freshmen Michael Mack (Pittsburgh, PA/Montour) and Jim Solano (Hinckley, OH/Padua Franciscan) held Monroe’s bats in check as the Saints grabbed an early lead in conference play.

Mack struck out six, walked three and tossed four innings of no-hit ball for his second win of the season.

“He had his good stuff today,” Mercyhurst coach Dan Bertolini stated. “He kept them off balance. He’s a bulldog. He has a good chance every time he’s out there.”

“We ran into a guy who can command three pitches,” Monroe coach Dave Brust said. “Our immaturity on offense and defense showed.”

Mercyhurst scored an unearned run off MCC starter Dylan Sheffer (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) in the second. Bobby Dragon (Ashtabula,OH/Edgewood) reached on an error to lead the frame. The sophomore first baseman stole second and moved to third on a ground ball. Sabatino Dinardo (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) brought home the run with a ground ball to the right side of the infield.

Monroe rallied with two out in the fifth to tie the score. Rayshelon Carolina (Willemstad, Curacao/St. Jozef) broke up the no-hit bid and shutout with one swing of the bat. The sophomore centerfielder drilled a 3-1 pitch into the gap in right center and plated Brett Sanders (Greece, N.Y./Greece Olympia) for the Tribs’ only run of the game.

“We took a step backward today,” Brust commented. “We showed our youth.”

Sheffer nearly matched Mack’s effort. He allowed just three hits through the first six.

“Sheff is the real deal,” Bertolini stated.

The sophomore right-hander retired the side in the fifth on three pitches.

“Sheff pitched really well,” Brust added. “Our defense made some questionable plays.”

Sheffer’s lone mistake of the day came in the seventh when he hung a pitch to Dinardo out over the plate. The freshman catcher took advantage and connected on a game-winning home run.

“Clutch,” Bertolini said of the game winner. “This is a tough day to hit. It’s really windy and cold. He had some good at bats early and got a good pitch to hit.”

Solano picked up where Mack left off. The freshman allowed four hits, struck out six and walked three in the night cap.

“Two good games,” Bertolini added. “Every game in this region is a dogfight. We’re happy to get two dubs out of here today.”

Mercyhurst’s scored two in the first. AJ Thompson (Sagerstown,PA/Linesville) walked, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Cam Balego (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) double into left field. Austin Alonge (Westfield, N.Y./Westfield) reached on an error, and Keyshawn D’Orso (Pittsburgh,PA/Alderice) brought home a run with a ground ball.

D’Orso drove in another run in the third.

The Tribunes quickly responded.

Carolina singled to start the bottom half. Hunter Merrill (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) put runners on the corners with one of his three hits on the day. A wild pitch scored Carolina, and Merrill crossed the dish when a Connor Lewis (Brampton, Ontario/St. Marguerite d’Youville) fly ball to right was dropped. Ryan Prevost (Greece, N.Y./Greece Athena) walked. Monroe threatened to tie the game when Sjaghbar Martis (Willemstad, Curacao/Trinity Christian Academy) executed a sacrifice bunt and moved runners to second and third with one out. But the Tribunes failed to capitalize.

Mercyhurst added an insurance run in the fifth.

MCC threatened in the seventh. Carolina worked a one-out base on balls. Merrill beat out an infield single, but the Tribs failed to convert.

Austin Speaker (North Tonawanda, N.Y./Starpoint) tossed three scoreless innings for the Black and Gold. The freshman struck out four, walked none and surrendered just one hit.

“Speaker did a great job,” Brust noted. “He gave us what we needed.”

Carolina collected two hits and a walk. He scored one and drove in one.

Temperatures hovered in the 30s throughout the doubleheader with a steady breeze adding to the already chilling conditions.

“We played colder than they did,” Monroe assistant Mark Perlo stated.

Monroe hosts Ithaca JV on Saturday. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 pm.