STANDISH, Maine – The Norwich University baseball team was swept by St. Joseph's College (Me.) 3-2 and 2-0 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader Sunday afternoon. 

The Cadets served as the home team in both games although they were played at Larry Maheney Diamond, the home of the Monks.

In game one the Monks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Max McComb led off the game with a single and advanced to third on a fielders choice and an error. Nic Lops then grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring McComb from third.

St. Joseph's padded their lead in the top of the second inning starting with another leadoff single, this one hit by Taylor Reuillard. He then advanced to third base on two consecutive fielder's choices. Zack Graham came through with the two-out single to plate Reillard and make it 2-0.

The Cadets struck for their first run in the bottom of the second as senior Devin Cilley (Tunbridge, Vt.) ripped a one-out single to left field. Freshman Travis Jacques (Peabody, Mass.) then grounded into a fielder's choice that eliminated Cilley at second base. With Jacques on at first junior Brandon Place (Concord, N.H.) pulled a double down the left field line to advance Jacques to third but the leftfielder Reuillard committed an error allowing Jacques to score and cut the deficit to 2-1.

Cilley started off the next Cadet rally in the bottom of the fourth inning with a walk. He advanced to second on a passed ball. After a lineout and a groundout freshman Tim Haggerty (Medfield, Mass.) dug in and singled up the middle plating Cilley and tying the game 2-2.

The Monks jumped ahead for good in the top of the sixth inning as McComb shot an RBI single through the right side of the infield with the bases loaded and two outs. Joe Coyne scored on the play but Reuillard was thrown out on his way to third to end the threat, the damage had already been done as St. Joe's took a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh Norwich pushed a runner as far as second base with just one out, but two consecutive groundouts ended the threat and the game.

Alex Valenti picked up the win for the Monks throwing six innings of five-hit baseball allowing two runs (one earned) and three walks while striking out six. Valenti improved to 2-2 on the season.

Corey McNamara collected his first save of the season, retiring all three batters he faced in the seventh.

Sophomore Jacob Mutterties (Boxford, Mass.) was hit with the loss for Norwich after six innings of work. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk. He stuck out one batter.

Freshman Kyle Farquharson (South Ryegate, Vt.) came on to pitch the seventh inning and allowed two hits. 

In game two the Monks struck in the first inning as well as Louie Vigars reached on an error with one out then advanced to second on a passed ball. After a groundout Lops stepped to the plate and singled through the left side, plating Vigars and making it a 1-0 game. 

St. Joe's padded its lead in the top of the fifth frame after Alex Markakis lined a one-out single up the middle then stole second base. Zack Graham laced a double down the right field line, scoring Markakis from second and making it 2-0 Monks.

Nick Whittaker was a dominant force on the mound for St. Joe's, throwing all seven innings and allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out ten batters. He improves to 2-1 on the season with the win.

Sophomore Brian Whaley (St. Louis, Mo.) took the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits. He didn't allow a walk and struck out two batters. 

With the sweep the Monks improve to 12-6 overall and 4-0 in the GNAC. The Cadets fall to 2-9 overall and 0-5 in the GNAC.

Norwich is next in action on Tuesday April 8^th when they travel to Anna Maria for a GNAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.