Medford, Mass. – May 23, 2021 - Tufts University used a five-run first inning to jump out ahead of the Lyons and were able to hold onto for the 7-6 victory on Sunday afternoon. Wheaton falls to 16-4 on the year but will represent the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) in the NCAA Regionals starting on May 27.

The Tufts offense was locked in on starter John Mikosz (Southington, Conn.) in the first as they scored five runs on three hits. The inning was highlighted by a deep RBI double from Jimmy Evans and a three-run homer from Kyle Cortese.

Wheaton got one back in the top of the fourth when Patrick Santorella (Scituate, Mass.) hit a groundball that scored Mark D'Augelli (Easton, Conn.), making it a 5-1 game.

However, Tufts made it 7-1 in the fifth on a Clay Sowell two-run homerun to left field off Mikosz. The Jumbo offense drove the starter out of the game after 4.1 innings pitched.

The bullpen was able to keep the Lyons in the game, as they went the rest of the distance without allowing a run. Wheaton received 0.2 innings from Zach Nichols (Chicopee, Mass.), 1 inning from Zach Begin (Georgetown, Mass.), 0.2 innings from Dominic Cunha (Lincoln, R.I.), and 1.1 innings from Josh Roberge (Chelmsford, Mass.)

The visitors were able to claw their way back into the game with a big seventh inning. AJ Guindon (Coventry, R.I.) sparked the rally with an RBI single that scored Nick Croteau (Cumberland, R.I.). Next, Zach DeMattio (North Attleboro, Mass.) scored Brody Ashley (Strafford, N.H.) on a single through the right side. Then, Andrew Spirito (Cranston, R.I.) punched one past the third basemen to score both Guindon and Jacob Studley (Barrington, R.I.) to cut the lead to 7-5 before Tufts was able to get out of the inning.

Wheaton threatened in the ninth after Tufts tried to pick off a runner at second and threw the ball into center field allowing DeMattio to scamper home. The Lyons had runners at first and third with the score at 7-6 but Silas Reed was able to strikeout pinch hitter George Mulcahey (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to end the game.

The offense was led by Guindon, who went 2 for 5 with an RBI. Stephen Quigley (Halifax, Mass.) also had two hits and added a walk at the plate for Wheaton.

The Lyons will find out later tonight where they are headed to compete for a National Regional Championship.

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