Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Williams used a four-RBI day by Luke Pierce to defeat Skidmore, 10-2, in non-conference action at Bobby Coombs Field. The visiting Thoroughbreds (8-17) jumped out to a lead in the top of the first, but the Ephs (9-14) got multiple runs in the first, fourth, and eighth to win. The Ephs have now won three of their last five.
The Thoroughbreds struck first in the top of the first. Facing Eph starter Conner Dunn, Skidmore led off with a pair of singles, and a Jeb Clarke groundout and a Josh Brown single put them up 2-0. The Ephs responded immediately to take a 3-2 out of the opening frame. Adam Dulsky drove in Phil McGovern with an single to right-center, and a wild pitch brought Jack Roberts in to tie the game. Williams took the lead on a double-steal with runners on first and third. Hayden Smith's throw went to second, and Dulsky stole home for the third run of the inning.
After the high-scoring first, Dunn settled in to work four scoreless innings. His work allowed the Ephs to extend their lead with a four-run fourth. Nathan Michalski and Jackson Parese led off the inning with sharp singles, and a wild pitch advanced them to second and third. Nine-hole hitter Lev Schecter blooped a ball into left to score Michalski for the Ephs' fourth run. Hot-hitting Luke Pierce then strode to the plate and parked a three-run homer over the field in left to extend the lead to 7-2. The home run was Pierce's team-leading third of the year.
Dunn exited after five, and the Ephs got four scoreless relief innings from upperclassmen Eddie Kelly, Arnie Capute, and Dylan Griswold. Pierce and McGovern collected RBI in the eighth when the Ephs added three insurance runs.
Dunn (2-1) got the win, giving up two runs on three hits in five solid innings of work. Aikins (1-2) took the loss. The freshman righthander gave up seven runs on nine hits in four innings of work.
Offensively, Pierce led the Ephs with a four-RBI day. McGovern and Dulsky both added three hits, and Parese and Schecter scored two runs apiece. For Skidmore, cleanup hitter Josh Brown had two hits and an RBI.
After the game, Williams coach Bill Barrale was pleased with his team's performance. "We turned a bunch of double plays [three on the day], and we swung the bats a little better. Luke Pierce has been hot. We spotted them a two-run lead, but then we bounced back. It was a nice win."
Both teams return to the field Thursday. Williams will host MCLA at 4:00, and Skidmore takes on Union at 7:00.
