Norton, Mass – May 2, 2021 – The Lyons were tested by the visiting Engineers but held on in both games to sweep the weekend. Wheaton won the first game in comeback fashion by a score of 8-6 and held WPI down in the second game to win 3-2. The team finishes the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season with a 5-1 record (12-2 overall).

Game One: Wheaton 8, WPI 6

Stephen Quigley (Halifax, Mass.) started for Wheaton, going six innings while allowing three runs (one earned). The junior fanned seven and did not walk a batter.

Wheaton got things going in the first, when Zach DeMattio (North Attleboro, Mass.) shot a single through the middle to score Brody Ashley (Strafford, N.H.). However, WPI tied it in the second as Jacob Hand scored on a wild pitch to make it 1-1.

The Engineers scored two more runs in the fourth inning, as Michael Fraser had an RBI single and Hand doubled to bring him in to put WPI up 3-1.

The Lyons responded back in the fifth after George Mulcahey (Brooklyn, N.Y.) drew a walk and Ashley laced a single to put runners at first and third with no outs. Nick Croteau (Cumberland, R.I.) hit a groundball that advanced Ashley and scored Mulcahey. Then, Jacob Studley (Barrington, R.I.) singled to bring in Ashley and Patrick Santorella (Scituate, Mass.) poked one through the left side to plate Studley to give Wheaton the lead, 4-3.

The lead changes were not done, as WPI scored three of their own in the seventh to take a 6-4 lead. Dominic Cunha (Lincoln, R.I.) got one out but gave way to Paul Prue (Dennis, Mass.) after allowing runners at first and second. Prue did his job, but Jeffrey Brennan reached on a throwing error that tied the game and Dylan Connors hit a bloop single to left to put the Engineers up by two.

Wheaton came right back to tie the game yet again in the bottom of the seventh. DeMattio grounded out to score Croteau and Mark D'Augelli (Easton, Conn.) hit a big triple over the center fielder's head to plate Studley and make it a 6-6 game.

Prue shut down WPI in the eighth and Wheaton took advantage in the bottom half of the inning. Mulcahey walked and Ashley hit another single and advanced to second on an overthrow. Then, Mulcahey scored on a wild pitch and Studley hit a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Lyons an 8-6 lead.

Josh Roberge (Chelmsford, Mass.) came on in the ninth and got three quick outs to record the save and secure Wheaton the win.

Studley led the offensive attack, going 4 for 4 in the game with an RBI. Ashley went 2 for 4 with three runs and DeMattio had a hit along with 2 RBIs.

Game 2: Wheaton 3, WPI 2

The Lyons received a strong start from John Mikosz (Southington, Conn.). The senior got the win and threw five innings with five punch outs while just allowing one unearned run.

There was no score until the fourth inning when Mulcahey broke the ice with a single to right field that scored Andrew Spirito (Cranston, R.I.). Ashley then doubled down the left field line to bring in Rob Wirtanen (Exeter, N.H.) to make it 2-0.

WPI scored on some sloppy play from Wheaton in the fifth as Clayton Hanlon came in on a misplay by the middle infielders to cut the deficit to 2-1. However, Wheaton responded back in the bottom of the inning on a DeMattio double down the left field line that scored Studley.

Zach Begin (Georgetown, Mass.) and Patrick Arter (Lakeville, Mass.) pitched back-to-back scoreless innings for the Lyons in the sixth and the seventh. Each recorded two strikeouts in their inning of work.

WPI got a run to make the score 3-2 in the eighth as pitcher Zach Clesas (Johnston, R.I.) threw a wild pitch that could not be located in time to get the runner at the plate. With runners at first and third and two outs, Roberge was called on again to get out of trouble. The senior got a ground out to shortstop to get out of the inning and then closed the deal in the ninth to give Wheaton the sweep.

Ashley went 2 for 5 with an RBI while DeMattio and Mulcahey each recorded a hit and an RBI to lead the Lyons offensively.

Second seeded Wheaton will host third seeded Coast Guard in the NEWMAC tournament next Saturday at Sidell Stadium. The teams will play a best of three series with the winner advancing to the NEWMAC Championship.

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