BROCKTON, Mass. ---- Suffering consecutive one-run losses to start the Northeast portion of the 2014 schedule was not the beginning that the Massasoit Community College baseball team had envisioned. But that has all changed coming down the second half stretch of the season.
The Warriors fell 2-1 at UCAP and a walk-off 6-5 loss at Dean College to find themselves in an early 0-2 hole on the year. But, the team picked itself up and ran off five consecutive wins and six of seven overall to own an 11-8 overall record, and more importantly a perfect 5-0 against Region XXI divisional opponents.
Following dominate performances against Mass Bay and midweek wins vs. Quinsigamond and UCAP, the Warriors set the stage for a marquee matchup with Northern Essex.
In a closely contested pair of games, Massasoit prevailed 4-3 in eight innings on a walk-off RBI double by Patrick Murray (Weymouth) before earning the sweep with a 6-4 win in game two.
The next day, the Warriors' win streak was snapped against the Southern New Hampshire JV squad, before capturing game two to claim seven of the last eight games overall.
Nagle A Factor At Plate & On Mound
Luke Nagle (Pembroke) has been a major contributor in his second season as a Warrior. The first baseman/right-handed pitcher is hitting .458 (22-for-48) with 14 RBI and 10 runs scored. His batting average ranks 18th nationally amongst all Division III players.
Nagle has been equally if not more impressive on the mound. The righty sports a 3-0 record along with a save and has yielded only three earned runs in 22.2 innings for a 1.19 ERA. Nagle has 22 strikeouts to just two walks on the year.
Holmes Hones In At Home
Shane Holmes (East Bridgewater) has been lights out on the hill, especially in his last two starts at home. In those last two appearances, Holmes is 2-0 and allowed only five hits and no earned runs over 13 innings. He has 20 strikeouts compared to three walks during that span with wins vs. MassBay and Northern Essex.
Tarr, Holmes Get Punch-Outs In Bunches
Sophomore southpaws David Tarr (Easton) and Shane Holmes (East Bridgewater) have be racking up the strikeouts this season.
Tarr has totaled 28 strikeouts in 21.2 innings, including a 15-K, one-hit outing vs. Quinsigamond.
Holmes has piled up 29 punch-outs in 23.1 innings this season, second most amongst Region XXI Division III players.
Tripling Travis
Travis Ritchie (Taunton) has had a knack for collecting triples this season. The sophomore outfielder tops all of Region XXI with five three-baggers.
Murphy Goes Yard
Massasoit has connected for three homers this season, two coming off the bat of freshman David Murphy (Plymouth). The shortstop started both doubleheaders with long balls in his first at bat, both coming in the first inning at home vs. Northern Essex.
