Baseball Holds On For 13-12 Win In 2013 Home Opener Over Mass. Maritime

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport baseball team raced out to a 12-0 lead and then had to hold on for a 13-12 victory over a pesky Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buccaneers club in UB's home opener at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on a windy and cold Saturday afternoon in the Park City.  The Purple Knights are now 4-8 on the season, and the Buccaneers are 2-4.

Host Bridgeport scored one run in the first, four runs in the second and seven runs in the fourth inning to take a 12-0 lead before Mass. Maritime stormed back to scored nine runs in the top of the fifth to make the score 12-9.  UB pushed across what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the sixth, as the Bucs plated one in the eight and two in the ninth when they had the bases loaded as the game ended.

Senior Mike Olszyk (Hamden, Conn.) went 3-for-3 for Bridgeport with two runs batted in.  Junior Brock Roggie (Lowville, N.Y.) and freshman Matt Gagne (West Haven, Conn.) each had two hits on the day for the winners.  Roggie scored four runs and stole four bases, and Gagne knocked in a pair. 

UB junior John Ascenzia (West Haven, Conn.) had three RBIs for the Purple Knights, and classmate Jesse Solar (Marlton, N.J.) also had two runs batted in.

Junior Ryan Garcia (Franklin Square, N.Y.) picked up the win in relief for Bridgeport allowing only one run in three innings pitched, and senior Alex Riley (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) recorded the last out of the game for the Purple Knights to notch a save.

The Bridgeport baseball team is scheduled to be back in action on Tuesday afternoon when they host Post University. Game time is slated at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard for 3:00 p.m.