Behind the pitching of freshman George Dummar and senior Todd DeFrancesco, the Quinnipiac baseball team kept Boston College’s mighty offense somewhat in check. However, the Bobcats’ bats could not come through against a stellar performance from Eagles starter Dane Clemens, as Quinnipiac fell, 6-1, on Tuesday afternoon in Chestnut Hill.
Andrew Lawrence hit a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth off DeFrancesco to make it 6-0 BC. The Bobcats scratched across their only run of the game in the top of the ninth on a bases-loaded walk earned by Joe Poletsky.
The Eagles struck first against the Bobcats’ freshman right-hander in the first inning. John Spatola put BC on the board with an RBI single, scoring Matt Hamlet for the first run. Spatola stole second base and came around to score on an RBI single by Matt Watson. Watson was gunned down at second by left fielder Ben Farina to retire the side.
Boston College pulled away in the fourth inning. After loading the bases with nobody out, Mike Sudol reached on an error by shortstop Mickey Amanti, bringing in the third Eagles run. Dummar then struck out Anthony Melchionda but was unable to prepare for the trickery the Eagles executed.
Brad Zapenas dropped down a bunt that was fielded by Dummar, whose only play was to first. Watson came across with the fourth Boston College run. The Eagles got another run in the fourth on an RBI triple from Garret Smith.
Clemens (2-2) was outstanding for the Eagles, giving up one run on six hits, striking out seven and walking two over 8 2-3 innings. Dummar (0-3) was charged with the loss, giving up five runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out five and walking three. DeFrancesco was strong for the Bobcats in relief, surrendering one run on three hits and two walks in four innings.
The Bobcats return to NEC action when they travel to West Long Branch, N.J. for a four-game series with Monmouth from Friday to Sunday. Quinnipiac currently sits at 9-7 in the Northeast Conference.
