MERION STATION, Pa. – David Viselli's seventh-inning double gave the Hawks a lead they would not relinquish as the Saint Joseph's baseball team topped Massachusetts, 3-1, at Smithson Field on Friday afternoon.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Liam Bendo walked before Brian Vance singled with one away. Viselli followed with a double to left center to score Bendo and give the Hawks the lead.
Saint Joseph's (20-27 overall, 6-15 Atlantic 10) added an insurance run in the eighth as Langston Livingston led off with a walk, stole second, and came in to score on a single by Bendo.
The Minutemen brought the tying run to the plate with two down in the ninth, but Steve Powles struck out Ryan Lever to end the ballgame.
Cole Stetzar earned the win with two innings of shutout relief to improve to 2-0 while Powles notched his third save of the season. Justin Aungst got the start for the Hawks, scattering seven hits and allowing an unearned run across five-plus innings in his final appearance in a Saint Joseph's uniform.
Sean Harney allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits in six and a third innings but took the loss, falling to 2-3.
The teams traded runs in the fourth inning, with Massachusetts (15-28 overall, 6-17 Atlantic 10) taking the lead on a single by Justen Voghel. Matt Maul and Charlie Concannon singled in the home half of the inning, sandwiched around Brendan Hueth reaching on a catcher's interference call. Livingston hit into a double play, but it was enough to bring home Maul and tie the game.
The victory gives the Hawks their eighth consecutive 20-win season, extending the longest such run of seasons in program history.
Prior to Friday's game, the Hawks honored their departing seniors – Aungst, Maul, Viselli, Dominic Cuoci, Marc Giacalone, and Eric Sigovich – for their dedication to the program.
The Hawks and Minutemen will play their season finale on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Photos from today's game and Senior Day ceremony are available for purchase at sjuhawksphotos.photoshelter.com. Use the code SPRING20 to receive 20% off your purchase through May 31.
