WPI 9, Trinity 7

Box Score

Hartford, CT --- Senior co-captain OF Scott McNee (Falmouth, MA) scored twice and drove in three runs, while senior co-captain RHP Conor Fahey (Cumberland, RI) allowed just one hit and struck out four in 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, leading visiting WPI to a 9-7 win over No. 4 Trinity in non-conference baseball action this afternoon.  WPI, ranked No. 8 in New England in the first NEIBA Division III poll, improves to 14-6 with its seventh consecutive victory and 11th in its last 12 games overall.

Trinity, ranked No. 4 in both New England (NEIBA D-III poll) and in the nation in the latest D3baseball.com Top 25, falls to 12-3 with its first loss in six games, its first loss at home since April 24, 2007 (16 games), and its first loss in a home opener since the Engineers defeated them, 14-12, in 2003.

WPI went ahead for good at 4-3 in a three-run, third inning on two walks, an RBI single by shortstop Paul Galligan (Weymouth, MA), a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly by McNee.  The Engineers tacked on four more runs in the next two innings to go ahead, 8-3, in the middle of the fifth, but the Bantams rallied for two scores in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout and a two-out, RBI single by senior co-captain Ryan Piacentini (Portland, ME).

With Trinity trailing, 9-7, in the seventh inning, Piacentini delivered another RBI single and the Bantams loaded the bases, but Fahey relieved winning pitcher Alex Hansen (Burlington, CT) with two outs and struck out two batters in a row to end the rally.  Bantams OF Matt Sullivan (North Reading, MA) opened the eighth frame with a double to the left field fence, and Trinity loaded the bases for the second inning in a row, but Fahey escaped when 2B Mark Dignum (Albany, NY) bobbled a grounder and narrowly beat hustling Trinity DH Alex Rokicki (Truro, MA) with his throw to first.  Fahey, normally a starter for the Engineers, added a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Hansen threw 4 1/3 innings in relief and allowed five hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts for WPI, while freshman 3B Nick Bean (Middleboro, MA) and junior DH Mike Swanton (Foxboro, MA) each had two hits for the Engineer offense. 

Trinity shortstop Robert Martin (Lowell, MA) joined Piacentini with two hits for Trinity, while Bantam freshman RHP Edward Donovan (Milton, MA) was impressive, matching Fahey's effort with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Trinity is the defending Division III National Champion, finishing the 2008 season with a 45-1 record and a 5-4 victory over Johns Hopkins in the Division III Championship game. The Bantams had won 57 of their last 60 games and 49 straight versus New England opponents.

WPI is back in action on Wednesday, looking for its eighth consecutive win when it takes on Westfield State on the road. First pitch is at 3:30pm. Trinity will look to rebound when it faces Tufts in three straight at home beginning Friday at 3pm.

Major portions of release courtesy Trinity College Sports Information