Hackettstown, N.J. – The Norwich University baseball team opened 2020 with a bang, sweeping host Centenary University with an extra innings, 8-7 win in game one and a 12-2 victory in game two.

This marks the first time the Cadets have won their season opener since 1995, a 14-3 win over Clark.

In game one, NU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning as junior shortstop Jacob Parizo (Groton, Conn.) came across to score on a wild pitch. Freshman designated hitter Kyle Quattrin (Sterling, Va.) then delivered his first collegiate base hit, an RBI single to right field to make it 2-0.

The Cyclones got one back in the bottom of the second for a 2-1 score. In the top of the third Parizo lifted a sacrifice fly to left field for a 3-1 Cadet lead, then sophomore first baseman Hunter Lavigne (Charlton, Mass.) followed with an RBI single to left field for the 4-1 score.

Centenary rallied in both the bottom of the third and the bottom of the fifth for multiple runs to carry a 7-4 lead into the top half of the seventh. Down to their final three outs freshman second basemen Abel Oropeza (Whittier, Calif.) drew a leadoff walk. One out later sophomore pinch-hitter Nate Gehringer (Northampton, Penn.) rifled a double to center field that advanded Oropeza to third. Senior left fielder Chris Dayos (Temecula, Calif.) was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Abel then came around to score on a wild pitch for a 7-5 score. Another out later Parizo stepped to the plate with the game on the linke and delivered a clutch, two out double to center, scoring Gehringer and Dayos and tying the game 7-7.

In the top of the eighth inning, Gehringer added another extra base hit with a two-out triple to right. Following a walk by Dayos, senior third baseman Brendon Profita (New Milford, Conn.) singled to center field, scoring Gehringer and giving the Cadets an 8-7 lead they would not relinquish. 

Freshman Robert Slocum (Windsor, Vt.) notched his first career win in a stellar relief effort, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits over six innings of work. He walked three batters and improves to 1-0 on the season.

Norwich got on the board first in game two as Parizo remained hot at the dish, picking up an RBI single up the middle for a 1-0 Cadet lead after one inning. The Cyclones rallied for two runs in the home half of the third to take their only lead of the game at 2-1. 

NU put up two runs in the top of the fourth on a two-run single by freshman second baseman Ryland Richardson (Windsor, Vt.) to take a 3-2 lead. Those were the first tww RBI of Richardson's career but he was not done on the day. In the top of the fifth, Dayos scored on a wild pitch and Gehringer collected an RBI single to stretch the lead to 5-2.

The Cadets rallied for seven runs in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach for the Cyclones. Gehringer picked up yet another RBI single while sophomore catcher Connor McGee (Wakefield, R.I.) picked up an RBI single as well. Richardson continued his torrid start with another two-run single and junior center fielder Koby Foster (Estill Springs, Tenn.) collected a two-run single also. Foster then came around to score on a balk to make it 12-2.

Sophomore Tanner Raymond (Southbury, Conn.) picked up the win to move to 1-0 on the season. He allowed two runs (just one earned) on six hits over six innings on the mound. He didn't allow a walk and fanned three batters.

The Cadets stand at 2-0 after the sweep while the Cyclones fall to 2-4. Norwich is back in action on Sunday for a twinbill at Stockton University. Those games are set for 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.