Westfield State 3 Ð Williams College 2
WESTFIELD Ð The pitching of sophomore Justin OÕConnor (Braintree) and the hitting of junior Ryan Shimmon (Great Barrington) and sophomore Troy Ferguson (Rochester, MA) lifted Westfield State to a 3-2 victory over Williams College in non-conference baseball action April 20.
The Owls are 11-16 while Williams is 15-12.
OÕConnor pitched eight and 2/3 innings, scattering eight hits, striking out six and allowing one earned run and three walks. Two of his walks came after two outs and the bases empty in the ninth inning. Freshman Ken Vautrin (South Hadley) earned the pitching save by getting Williams leadoff batter James Dicosmo to hit into a fielderÕs choice.
Both teams collected eight hits with WestfieldÕs first two batters supplying most of the punch. Ferguson was 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored, while Shimmon was 3 for 4 with two RBI, which were runscoring singles in the third and fifth innings.
The Owls took a 1-0 first-inning lead when Shimmon doubled and scored on a single by senior Brett Ford (Brockton).
Willliams senior Mark Chmiel (Houston, TX) was 2 for 4, including an RBI double in the eighth inning. Senior Scott Johnson (Windsor Locks, CT) was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Freshman Brendan Hanifan (Vienna, VA) pitched into the ninth inning. He walked two and struck out seven.