By Erika Carrubba and Matt Foster
The baseball team is certainly not shy about being the new kids of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). They swept the CAA’s offensive leader UNC-Wilmington in three games over the weekend.
Senior catcher Matt Morizio hit a line drive to center field for Northeastern in the 10th inning of Sunday’s 3-2 victory over UNC. The win completed the three-game sweep of the Seahawks (21-9, 4-5 CAA) and was the sixth straight win against CAA opponents for the No. 2 Huskies (12-9, 7-2 CAA).
“It’s a great start,” senior center fielder Chris Emanuele said. “Especially being new in the conference, a lot of teams didn’t expect us to do so well, or know what to expect of us. It means a lot to show the league how good we are and how good baseball is here in the northeast.”
Morizio’s single scored junior leftfielder Dan Milano who had walked and stolen second. Milano also hit a home run off the left field foul pole in the bottom of the second, it was his fifth of the season.
Morizio has been a key component for the Huskies this season, splitting time behind the plate, on the mound and at first base.
“He does so many things for us,” Coach Neil McPhee said. “He’s a force every place we put him.”
Sophomore starting pitcher Kris Dabrowiecki went 6-1/3 innings for the Huskies, allowing eight hits and two runs; he walked two and struck out eight. He got into trouble in the eighth inning, loading the bases with one out. The Huskies went to the bullpen, bringing in freshman Trevor Smith in relief to get out of the jam and finish the game. Smith allowed no hits and one walk while striking out two.
Smith was named CAA Co-Rookie of the Week, along with Virginia Commonwealth first baseman Jared Bolden.
“He’s certainly been the surprise of our team at this point,” McPhee said. “It’s like he’s got ice-water in his veins, and there has not been one game this season where he didn’t show total confidence and poise on the mound. He adds to a pitching rotation that we think is the best we’ve had in all the years I’ve been here.”
On Saturday, junior starter Dave Pellegrine gave up three runs in the second before settling down in his final 6-2/3 innings for NU. Morizio was brought in for the save in the 4-3 win.
Northeastern’s offense was led by Emanuele’s third home run of the season when the ball found its way over the wall in right-center in the third inning.
Junior ace Adam Ottavino got the 7-4 win on Friday, shutting out the Seahawks through six innings. In the seventh, UNC-Wilmington’s senior designated hitter Lee McLean singled down the left field line to score two, followed by an RBI single by sophomore rightfielder Jason Appel with no outs. Ottavino settled down to get three outs and end the inning. He was relieved by Smith, who gave up one run in the ninth inning.
Morizio had a two-run single and a three-run homer to collect five RBI on the day.
The Huskies started the week with a 15-4 loss to Rhode Island. Sophomore Bobby Carrington, junior Tristan Beese, freshman Tyler Thornton and sophomore Mitch Duggins combined to pitch the game, giving up all 15 earned runs.
Sophomore Mike Lyon went 3-3 with a home run and two RBI in the defeat.
The Huskies return to Friedman Diamond today to make up a canceled game against Boston College. Their focus will then turn to a weekend series against James Madison at home.
