No. 4 Northeastern defeated No. 1 Vermont, 2-1, in an opening round game of the America East Baseball Championship Thursday night at Centennial Field in Burlington, Vt. The Huskies, who are now 8-0 versus the Catamounts in postseason play, advance to the winner’s bracket behind a masterful pitching performance by Justin Hedrick.
Hedrick (7-1) went the distance for Northeastern (25-21), allowing just one run and three hits, and overcame seven walks by striking out 15. He did not allow a hit after the fifth inning.
Vermont (33-12) took the early lead, as Kyle Brault connected in a solo home run to left to put the Catamounts up, 1-0, after two innings.
The Catamounts threatened again in the bottom of the sixth, placing runners on first and third with one out, but Hedrick retired the side with consecutive strikeouts.
After being held to just one hit over the first six innings by America East Pitcher of the Year Jamie Merchant (7-2), Northeastern was able to break through in the top of the seventh, Jeff Heriot led off the inning with a bunt single, and advanced to third on a two base throwing error by the Vermont third baseman. Miguel Paquette then drove him home with a single through the left side of the infield. The Huskies loaded the bases with two outs on an error and walk, but Merchant induced a groundout to end the threat and keep the score tied at 1-1.
Northeastern took the lead in the top of the eighth, as Chris Emanuele led off with a single through the left side, stole second, and came home on an RBI double by Tim Bush. After a pitching change and two outs, the Huskies loaded the bases on two walks, but were unable to plate another run.
Merchant allowed two runs, one earned, in seven innings of work. Brian Robinson pitched two scoreless innings in relief.
The attendance of 1,128 broke the America East Baseball Championship record, set in 1993.
Northeastern will play Stony Brook, Friday at 3:30 p.m. in a winner’s bracket game. Vermont will battle Maine, Friday at 12 noon in an elimination game.
America East Baseball Championship
at Centennial Field, Burlington, Vt.
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Game 1-- No. 3 Stony Brook 4, No. 2 Maine 2
Game 2?No. 4 Northeastern, 2, No. 1 Vermont 1
Friday, May 23, 2003
Game 3?Maine vs. Vermont, 12 noon
Game 4?Stony Brook vs. Northeastern, 3:30 p.m.
Game 5?Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Game 6?Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 noon
Game 7?same teams (if necessary) , to follow