New Haven, Conn. – (3/7/2017) –Opening the 2017 season with their annual Spring Break trip to Florida, The Chestnut Hill College baseball team had two players earn Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) recognition following a 1-1 week for the Griffins. Junior pitcher Matthew Kress (Lansdale, Pa.) earned CACC Pitcher of the Week honors, while junior shortstop Alec Craig (Hammonton, N.J.) earned recognition on the Weekly Honor Roll.
Chestnut Hill College (2-1) opened the season with a 7-1 loss to Northwood University on March 4, before rebounding the next day with a 10-3 victory over Wilkes University. In the opening game of the trip, Northwood University (1-0) struck first, wasting no time with a first-inning, lead-off walk resulting in the game's first run, 1-0; after a fielder's choice left a runner on second base, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly brought the tally home. They added to their lead in the top of the third inning, using a one-out walk, an error, and a ground out to the pitcher to grab a 2-0 advantage.
Chestnut Hill College responded in the bottom of the third inning as a lead-off walk to senior second baseman Jon Baturgil (Freehold, N.J.), a sacrifice bunt from senior third baseman Austin DiBonaventure (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.), and a Craig double put the Scarlet and Gold on the scoreboard, 2-1. Junior pitcher Patrick Kelley (Pipersville, Pa.) was relieved by senior Justin Harnett (Aberdeen, N.J.) in the sixth inning, who handed the ball to fellow senior Dylan Borawski (Hatfield, Pa.) for t a scoreless seventh inning. The Timberwolves made their move in the eighth inning, using four hits a two Griffin errors to net five unearned runs, 7-1.
Craig led the Griffins with two hits (2-for-3), while Kelley (0-1) allowed one earned run on three hits and six walks. He struck out two in the loss. Sophomore catcher Eric Gilham (Deptford, N.J.) (1-for-4) and Baturgil accounted for the other two Griffin hits.
The Griffins rebounded in game two of the road trip, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first three innings before coasting to the 10-3 victory.
Kress (1-0) picked up the win, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out nine in the victory. Following a three-run first inning, the Scarlet and Gold tacked on two more in the second frame. Craig scored on an RBI single from senior Brandon DiBona (Southampton, Pa.) to make the score 4-0. DiBona then stole second and third, scoring on a throwing error by the catcher. The Griffins continued to extend the advantage, scoring one run in the third, two in the fifth, and one in both the sixth and seventh, coasting to the 10-3 win.
For the week, Kress went 6.0 innings, striking out nine and allowing just two hits. Craig had batted .500 (3-for-6) with three runs scored, a double, and one RBI. He also maintained a .667 slugging and on-base percentage.
The Chestnut Hill College baseball team returns to action on March 7, when they visit Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
