Norton, Mass. -- May 16, 2021 -- Behind a gutsy pitching performance from Josh Roberge (Chelmsford, Mass.) and a big fifth inning at the plate, the Lyons were able to down rival Babson to win the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Championship by a score of 10-4. Wheaton improves to 16-3 on the year and secures an automatic bid to the National Tournament.

It was Babson who scored the game's first run on a Tommy Lapham single off Roberge. From then on, Roberge, who is usually the Lyons closer, buckled down and held the Beaver offense at bay. He chucked seven strong innings and struck out seven while only allowing three runs.

Wheaton tied the game in the fourth inning as Andrew Spirito (Cranston, R.I.) singled through the left side to score Jacob Studley (Barrington, R.I.). Then, the offense exploded in the fifth.

The Lyons scored seven runs on four hits to push the score to 8-1. Studley got things going with an RBI double that scored Nick Croteau (Cumberland, R.I.). Zach DeMattio (North Attleboro, Mass.) then hit a ball to the third basemen, but Patrick Santorella (Scituate, Mass.) hustled to the plate and was able to beat the throw to add on another run.

Next up was Mark D'Augelli (Easton, Conn.), who roped one to right field to bring in Studley. DeMattio was then able to score on a fielder's choice and Croteau walked with the bases loaded to plate one more run. To cap off the inning, Brody Ashley (Strafford, N.H.) lined one over the second basemen's head to score both AJ Guindon (Coventry, R.I.) and Stephen Quigley (Halifax, Mass.) and make it 8-1 Wheaton.

The Lyons added two more runs in the seventh when Guindon singled to score Quigley on a throwing error and Ashley got caught in a rundown that was able to plate Guindon, pushing the lead to 10-1.

Babson got two runs back to make it 10-3, as Andrew Dembowski singled to bring in a run in the seventh and Francis Kiely homered to open up the eighth.

After the Kiely homer, Roberge was relieved by Quigley, who had been playing shortstop all game. Quigley gave up just one run, on a Matthew Valente double in the ninth, in two innings of work. The junior was able to get a groundout to second to secure the third out and bring home the NEWMAC Championship to Wheaton.

At the plate, the Lyons were led by Studley, who finished 4 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Guindon went 3 for 4 while Ashley and Spirito each recorded two RBIs to spark the offense.

Wheaton will now wait to hear where they will head to compete for a regional championship, which is set to begin on May 27.

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