SANTALUCES, Fla. (02/29/2020) – Chestnut Hill College baseball got its season underway in South Florida by splitting its doubleheader against Bentley University (2-5) on Saturday. The Griffins used big innings in the third and fourth of the opener to glide to a 10-4 victory before falling 11-10 in a seven-inning bout to close the day.

The Griffins (1-1) had three who played both games of the doubleheader bat at least .500 – senior infielder Ameir Uzzell (Levittown, Pa.), junior outfielder John Contoudis (Jenkintown, Pa.), and sophomore designated hitter Luke LeBeau (Pittsfield, Mass.) – to drive in 21 runs on the day. Junior captain Billy Bethel (Yardley, Pa.) earned the win on the mound for the Scarlet and Gold, pitching six innings in the effort.

Game One

Chestnut Hill College's bats came alive early in the opener, driving in four runs off four hits in the third inning to make it 4-1. Contoudis doubled through the right side and junior outfielder Sam Barletta (Royersford, Pa.) singled to center field to earn two RBIs each.

The hot bats continued in the fourth inning, with the Griffins driving in four more runs off five hits, including singles from Uzzell, Contoudis, and LeBeau.

With a big lead to work with, starting pitcher Bethel largely kept runners off the base paths. He limited the Falcons to four runs off four hits in his six innings of work. Senior pitcher Jerry Mangan (Wayne, Pa.) came on in relief in the seventh inning, keeping Bentley University off the board and limiting it to just two hits to record the save.

Contoudis had a game-high four hits and three RBIs, while Uzzell and LeBeau each recorded three hits. Senior infielder Patrick Meenan (Oreland, Pa.) also recorded two hits in his three at-bats.

Game Two

The Griffins got off to a rough start in their second game, trailing 9-0 after the first inning. They would rebound, though, steadily clawing their way back into the game down the stretch.

Chestnut Hill College would tally six runs from the third through the fifth innings, including the first RBI as a Griffin for sophomore transfer Corbin Dunnuck (Mohnton, Pa.). The Scarlet and Gold's bullpen was successful, as well, conceding just two more runs off five hits through the rest of the outing.

A final inning charge put the Griffins within striking distance. Three hits, including an RBI double from Contoudis and an RBI single from junior outfielder Michael Perugini (Tamarac, Fla.), helped put up four runs to make it an 11-10 ball game. The team could not drive in the game-tying run with the bases loaded, finishing down one after the seventh and final inning.

Up Next

Chestnut Hill College wraps its three-game set with Bentley University at noon on Sunday, March 1 in Santaluces, Florida.