Baseball’s Spring Training Recap in Myrtle Beach
The Massasoit baseball team concluded its annual spring training trip, posting a record of 3-5 at the Cal Ripken Complex in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The Massasoit baseball team concluded its annual spring training trip, posting a record of 3-5 at the Cal Ripken Complex in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Warriors hit a robust .303 as a team, averaging 7.5 runs per game and posting a .429 on-base percentage as a club. Topping the team in average for the trip was sophomore Preston Rankin who hit .421 (8-for-21), while also posting team-highs in slugging (.633) and on-base (.632) percentages.
A total of five players hit .300 or better for the Warriors and clubbed five homers, two coming in one game off the bat of sophomore Ricky Sherlock (Whitman). Sophomores Nick Andrews (Raynham) and Luis Ramirez (Dedham) recorded the most hits, collecting 10 each, while Ramirez led the team with 12 RBI, with a career-high seven coming in one contest alone.
On the mound, Massasoit saw three newcomers win their first collegiate games in Luke DiTondo (Marshfield), Nick Steele (Dartmouth) and James Sneyd (Scituate). Steele pitched a team-best total of 10 innings on the hill, including a complete game victory vs Jefferson County CC with eight strikeouts.
Tyler Horton (New Bedford) posted five scoreless frames over two appearances, while Sneyd and Steele topped the team with eight strikeouts each.
Below is a quick recap of each game played during the spring trip:
Game 1: Illinois Valley 12, Massasoit 9
Recap/Box Score
Game 2: Lehigh Carbon 4, Massasoit 3 (9 innings)
Recap/Box Score
Game 3: Massasoit 9, County College of Morris 3
Recap/Box Score
Game 4: Bergen 11, Massasoit 0
Box Score
Bergen put up all 11 runs in the first three innings, as the Warriors fell to 1-3 on the road trip.
Jonathan O'Donnell (Hull) doubled in the loss and Tyler Horton (New Bedford) pitched two scoreless frames for the Warriors.
Game 5: Danville 6, Massasoit 1
Box Score
Lefty Matt McGrath (Braintree) was the tough-luck loser for the Warriors, as they dropped a 6-1 decision to Danville.
The sophomore went a career-long 6.1 innings, retired the side in order three times, but Danville scored four times in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach. McGrath retired nine in-a-row at one point, striking out a career-high six and only allowing three hits through his first six frames of work.
Offensively, Jonathan O'Donnell finished 2-for-3 and Aiden O'Neill (Halifax) knocked in the lone run for the Warriors.
Game 6: Massasoit 9, Jefferson 4
Box Score
In his first collegiate start, Nick Steele fired a complete game five-hitter, as the Warriors knocked off Jefferson CC 9-4.
Steele finished with eight strikeouts, six of which were looking, to earn his first collegiate victory.
The Warriors gave Steele plenty of run support early, putting up a five-sport in the top of the first.
Luke Lewando (Brockton) and Nick Andrews each roped a pair of hits, while Andrews, Ricky Sherlock and Noah Martin (Freetown) each knocked in a pair in the victory.
Game 7: Massasoit 25, Westmoreland 9
Box Score
The Massasoit bats came alive, ripping 17 total hits, including five homers en route to a 25-9 victory vs Westmoreland CC.
Six starters finished with two or more hits, featuring a career day from Luis Ramirez, who finished 4-for-5 at the plate with a career-high seven RBI. Ramirez also launched his first homer of the season and scored four times.
Preston Rankin also produced as the third baseman went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBI. Both Ramirez and Rankin finished a triple shy of the cycle.
Ricky Sherlock launched a pair of long balls, knocking in four, while Luke Lewando connected for a homer, double and recorded four RBI as well.
James Sneyd picked up the win in relief, firing the last three frames, fanning five.
Game 8: Queensborough 15, Massasoit 5
Box Score
Queensborough scored eight times in the first inning and never looked back, defeating Massasoit 15-5 in six innings.
Nick Andrews paced the offense going a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Jonathan O'Donnell knocked in a pair in the loss.
Tyler Horton pitched three scoreless innings in relief.