Jeff Heriot hit a game-winning two-RBI single to right field to give Northeastern University a come-from-behind, 5-4, win over Stony Brook University at the America East Baseball Championship at Centennial Field in Burlington, Vt. Northeastern advances to Saturday’s championship round for the second consecutive year with the win.
Trailing 4-2 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Huskies (26-21) loaded the bases off of Stony Brook reliever Matt Restivo (6-4) on a bunt single, a double, and a hit batsman. Tim Bush then hit a come-backer to the mound, which was misplayed by Restivo, allowing Brad Czarnowski to score from third. The run brought the Huskies to within one, and set up Heriot’s heroics.
Stony Brook (31-20) took the 4-2 lead on a three-run home run by Andrew Larsen with two outs in the top of the ninth off Northeastern reliever Jordan Thomson (5-5).
The game was a pitchers duel for the first six innings, as Stony Brook advanced a runner to second in the first and third innings, but where not able to push across a run. Northeastern’s defense helped keep the Seawolves off the board, turning double plays in the first, fifth, and sixth innings.
Stony Brook starting pitcher David Wood was perfect through the first three innings, but the Huskies began to mount an offensive attack over the next few innings, putting runners in scoring position in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, before finally braking through in the seventh. Northeastern put runners on first and second with one out, and, after a fly out, loaded the bases on a walk. Arman Sidhu then hit a ground ball to third that the Stony Brook third baseman could not field cleanly, allowing pinch runner Diego Garcia to score.
The Seawolves evened the score in the top of the eighth. With one out, Lee Lipschutz singled to left and advanced to second when the Northeastern left fielder overthrew the cutoff man on Rich Graham’s fly out. Jim McCurdy drove Lipschutz home with a single to center to tie the game at 1-1.
Northeastern regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Jeff Heriot singled with one out, stole second, and scored on a Miguel Paquette RBI single.
Brendan Ryan pitched the first eight and one third innings for the Huskies, allowing three runs, including two in the ninth, and nine hits. Wood pitched eight full for Stony Brook, giving up two runs, one earned, and six hits.
Northeastern advances to the championship round. Maine and Stony Brook will play at 7 p.m. Friday in elimination game for the second berth in the championship round. Due to impending inclement weather, the start time of Saturday’s championship game has been moved from 12 noon to 10 a.m.
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 5, Vermont 1
Game 4?Northeastern 4, Stony Brook 4
Game 5?Maine vs. Stony Brook, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Game 6?Northeastern vs. Winner Game 5, 10 a.m.
Game 7?same teams (if necessary) , to follow