Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University baseball team played host to Colby-Sawyer College on Friday afternoon in the Cadets' home opener at Garrity Field.
The Chargers came from behind in a back-and-forth affair to take a 9-6 win.
Colby-Sawyer jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning and held a 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the fifth frame.
The Cadet bats exploded for five runs as senior third baseman Matt Sirois (Southington, Conn.) and fellow seniors first baseman Billy Whaley (Northfield, Vt.) and catcher Brandon Pedley (Northfield, Vt.) all delivered RBI singles. The big hit of the inning came from freshman designated hitter Andrew Fisher (Tewksbury, Mass.) as he launched a two-run homer (the first of his career) deep over the right field fence.
The Chargers came back for a run in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 5-3 but senior centerfielder LaShawn Thomas (San Antonio, Texas) delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 6-3.
The score remained in Norwich's favor until the top of the seventh when Colby-Sawyer took advantage of a passed ball and a balk followed by an RBI single by junior Doug Avellino (Woodstock, Vt.) to tie the game 6-6.
The Chargers took the lead for good in top of the ninth inning as freshman Tim Unczer (Danvers, Mass.) roped a pinch-hit, two run double to right field for an 8-6 lead. He then scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 9-6.
The Cadets couldn't respond in the bottom of the ninth as they went down in order.
Fisher took the loss for Norwich in a relief appearance to fall to 1-1 on the season. He allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks in two innings of work.
Junior Connor Henry (East Boston, Mass.) picked up the win for Colby-Sawyer to improve to 1-2 on the season. He allowed just one earned run on five hits in five and one third innings of work. He surrendered four walks and registered three strikeouts.
With the loss Norwich falls to 6-16 while Colby-Sawyer improved to 12-8 overall.
The Cadets are next in action on Saturday, April 15th as they host Rivier University in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference doubleheader. The games are slated for 11 a.m. and 1:30 pm.
