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- Category: Past Issues
By Colin Griggs
THOMPSON — Sophomore Matt Baronowski pitched the top of the seventh and then hit a walk-off single in the bottom half as the Marianapolis varsity baseball team earned a 13-12 win over Bancroft on opening day, April 12.
MPS (1-0) sent sophomore Keisuke Ito to the mound for his first start in maroon and gold. It was a shaky start defensively for the Golden Knights, but Ito found the strike zone throughout the game, got his way out of jams and held Bancroft to 11 runs in six innings.
In the fourth inning, MPS was down 7-5 before senior Mike Bodreau hit his second home run of the game - a long shot over the right fielder - to give MPS an 8-7 lead.
Bancroft took back the lead and they led 11-8 after six innings.
Then, it was time for Baronowski to take the game in his own hands. Although he gave up one run while taking the mound in the top of the seventh, he pitched a strong inning and kept the Golden Knights within reach.
In the bottom half of the final inning, the bats came alive for MPS to secure the victory. Sophomore Evan Cosentino opened with a walk and then stole second base. Freshman Andrew Gemme pinch hit for classmate Jacob Bowen. Gemme ripped a double to the gap in left field and Cosentino scored to make the score 12-9.
Junior Zach Chionuma recorded his third hit of the game and Gemme scored to cut the lead to two runs. Sophomore Pat Daoust got a hit next to advance Chionuma to second base.
Bodreau was up next when he got his fourth hit and sixth RBI as Chionuma crossed home plate for the third time of the afternoon. Ito put a ball in play down the third base line and Daoust crossed home plate to tie the game at 12 apiece. Bancroft tried to catch Daoust, and Ito advanced to second base on the throw to home plate. With no outs, and two runners on, Bancroft elected to pitch to Baronowski.
He roped a line drive past the shortstop to bring Bodreau home and seal the victory. It was a great way for the Knights to finish their opening game.