Tufts downs Wesleyan in baseball action, 9-7

Rocky Mount, NC - Despite a pair of homeruns by senior Chris Pecora, Tufts University managed a
9-7 win over homestanding North Carolina Wesleyan at Bauer Field on Thursday afternoon. The Jumbos (3-4) got a solid pitching performance from righty hurler Jason Protano en route to their third win of the season. With the loss, the Battling Bishops now stand at 16-7-1 overall.

Tufts jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first as the Jumbos benefited from two Bishop fielding errors. Corey Pontes delivered the only hit of the inning, a two-run single to center with the bases loaded. The Jumbos tacked on two more runs in the second before the Bishops got on the board in the bottom of the inning.

An unearned run in the third extended Tufts’ lead to 6-1. Wesleyan, however, answered with a three-spot in their half of the frame to cut the lead to 6-4. Justin Batts and Justin Tuck each recorded RBI-singles with Tuck’s plating two.

Ian Goldberg led off the Jumbo fourth with a homerun to center, but Pecora countered with a solo blast of his own in the fifth to make the score 7-5. Unfortunately, the Bishops would get no closer as Tufts pulled away for the 9-7 final.

NCWC’s final run came on Pecora’s second homer of the game. The talented switch-hitter belted one dinger from each side of the plate on the day.

Protano picked up the win after going 7 2/3 innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on 11 hits. NCWC starter Max Knowles took the loss for the Bishops.

Wesleyan returns to action at home on Friday and Saturday when USA South rival Ferrum College visits Bauer Field. Friday’s game time is slated for a 3:30 p.m. start, while Saturday’s finale is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.