Written by: Matthew Todd, Sports Information Assistant
Fort Myers, FL – The Lasell College baseball team opened up the 2012 season with two losses to Monmouth College (Ill.) on Sunday at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Florida. In game one the Lasers suffered a 15-1 defeat at the hands of the Fighting Scots, and a hard fought 1-0 loss in game two. The two losses bring Lasell's record to 0-2 on the year while Monmouth improved its record to 3-2.
Game one would feature Eric Howard (Newton, MA) on the hill for Lasell while Scott Kempel (Vernon Hills, IL) took the mound for Monmouth. In the opening frame the Fighting Scots were able to capitalize on the early struggles of Howard, scoring four runs before Lasell could retire the side. Ryan Crandall (Florissant, MO) led off the game by reaching on a hit by pitch. Crandall later opened up the scoring for Monmouth after Mitch Johnson (Ottawa, IL) was struck by another Howard pitch. Howard was chased from the game with two outs in the first inning, after two more batters reached base via a hit by pitch and another via a walk. When the side was eventually retired the Lasers were quickly facing a 4-0 deficit.
In the top half of the second inning Monmouth registered its first hit of the game and would go on to score five more runs to bring the score to 9-0 after just two innings. Jordan Gaither (Minier, IL) reached on an RBI single and later scored the game's seventh run on an error. Crandall also contributed in the inning striking a two out RBI single.
Nick Humphrey (East Peoria, IL) kept the scoring going for the Fighting Scots in the top of the fourth when belted an RBI single that scored Gaither. Crandall roped two run double to put Monmouth on top by the score of 12-0. The Fighting Scots tacked on another run before being retired in the fourth and another run in the fifth inning before the Lasers would finally get on the board.
Lasell scored its first run of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning in game one. Evan Mozingo (Brookfield, CT) scored the first run for the Lasers after Dan Mickens (Montclair, NJ) singled to right field.
Monmouth would tally one more run before the final out was recorded, and game one ended with the score of 15-1.
Kempel (1-1) earned the win, hurling a complete game, allowing one run on six hits.
Game two would be a drastically different story. However, the game still ended with a tough luck loss to Lasell. Game two would feature a great pitching matchup between Monmouth's starter Larry Milsteadt (Pekin, IL) and Lasell starting pitcher Kevin Post (Cromwell, CT). Combined Milsteadt and Post would only surrender five hits through the first four innings.
The Fighting Scots would register the game's only run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Crandall and Mitch Comstock (Hoffman Estates, IL) reached on back-to-back singles to open up the inning. Crandall later scored the lone run of the game on a Ross Donnan (Evanston, IL) sacrifice fly to center field.
The Lasers were unable to match over the final two innings resulting in a 1-0 loss.
Matt Mahoney (Rockland, MA) went 2-for-3 in game two recording two of Lasell's three hits.
Milsteadt (1-0) would notch the win for the Fighting Scots, throwing a complete game shutout while only yielding three hits, and striking out five.
Post (0-1) took the loss for the Lasers, throwing five innings, allowing one run on six hits.
Lasell will be back on the field Monday as they take on Salve Regina in doubleheader action at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Florida. Game one is set to start at 10:00 a.m.