POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Quinnipiac Bobcats avoided the series sweep after losing the first two games for the fourth time this season by taking game three this time by a final score of 6-2.
“We’re great with our backs against the wall, which makes me believe that we’re a tough team” Head coach John Delaney said about the season. “Throughout the entire season from day one, back in February, all the way until now, we’re great on day three.”
Going into today’s game, Delaney was unsure who would start with the ball with pitcher Sam Wright out, but Delaney trusted senior Nick Balcom. The right-hander struck out nine through 5.1 innings and gave up one run on five hits in just his fourth start of the season and first since February 27.
“It was awesome. He didn’t have his stuff in the first inning that was in the zone as much, but then he came out with the snares.” Delaney said about Balcom, “He doesn’t change his demeanor and attitude. He just goes out there and competes.”
After the Red Foxes failed to end the inning following a fielding error, Jack Balcer stole second, setting up James Marino with two runners in scoring position. Marino went up and did his job, bringing in Alex Irizarry from third and Balcer from second to give the Bobcats the early 2-0 lead.
Kyle Garbowski helped add one more in the top of the second after he stole second for Peyton Vancas to drive him in with a single up the middle.
“It’s major.” Delaney said about the stolen bases, “We weren’t aggressive enough early in the series.”
Balcom started the second inning where he left off the first, striking out the leadoff hitter for his second strikeout on the day. Later that inning, he found himself in a little bit of trouble with the bases loaded but got out of it with a line drive caught on the dive by right fielder Chase Camac.
“That was a huge play,” Delaney said. “We talk about winning big moments, right? If we give up some free stuff here or there, then we make up for it with a big play.”
Balcom’s dominance continued through the fourth inning, getting the first 1-2-3 inning of the day, striking out Scott Esposito, Connor Lawrence and getting Chris Diaz lined out to short to end the quick inning.
The top of the fifth inning started with a walk to Cole Constable. Following a wild pitch to advance Constable to second, a double to center by Irizarry would bring him in, expanding Quinnipiac’s lead to four.
The bottom of the fifth was similar to the last for Balcom. This time he struck out the side in order, taking down Luke Monico, T.J. Baer and A.J. Brotz, bringing up his total to eight strikeouts and eight consecutive outs.
Marist was able to put up their first run against Nick Balcom in the bottom of the sixth after an Esposito double down the third base line that brought in Nathan Lincoln from second and ending Balcom’s day for the Bobcats, leaving runners on the corners. J.C. Franconere came in relief and escaped the one-out jam with two strikeouts.
Quinnipiac added one more in the top of the eighth with a sac fly to right field from Camac. Marist responded with a bases-loaded walk to Dylan Millman that brought the final to 6-2.
The Bobcats’ conference record improves to 7-8, sitting seventh in the MAAC, while the Red Foxes’ record moves to 13-5 and remains second in the MAAC. Quinnipiac will head to New Haven to take on the Yale Bulldogs on Wednesday.
