Pheland, Seahawk offense earn 12-0 victory over Saints

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A seven-run sixth inning gave starting pitcher Kyle Pheland (North Scituate, R.I.) plenty of breathing room as the junior right-hander threw eight shutout innings during a 12-0 win for Salve Regina University baseball (5-1) against St. Lawrence University (3-2) at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Seahawks won their first four games in the Gene Cusic Classic, sweeping doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, before dropping a 6-3 decision to Alvernia College on Monday.

In his second start of the season, Pheland scattered seven hits while striking out two Saints. Both of Pheland's strikeout victims were caught looking to end an inning.

The Seahawks collected nine hits with Pheland's batterymate - Dominic Di Sano (Central Falls, R.I.) the only batter to have a multi-hit day. Salve Regina scored three times in its second inning. Tyler Colby (Easton, Conn.) led off the frame hit by a pitch. Joe Haley (No. Kingstown, R.I.) singled through the right side to have runners at the corners. Di Sano singled to center for the first run. Designated hitter Tim Harris (Southbury, Conn.) added an RBI single.

The bases were loaded after Ryan Sweenor's (South Kingstown, R.I.) bunt single. Di Sano scored on a double-play grounder.

Pheland got out of the third inning with a double-play grounder after allowing a lead-off single.

In the Seahawk fourth, Di Sano led off with a walk, stole second, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on a wild pitch. Salve Regina loaded the bases again in the fifth which included a single from Daniel Donohue (Westbury, N.Y.). Another double-play grounder produced a run for a 5-0 lead.

After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the sixth for Pheland, Salve Regina added seven more runs on three hits on the bottom half. Two hit batsmen and two walks scored the first in the frame. Colby doubled down the left field line to score Ryan Kelly (Waldwick, N.J.) and Anthony Conte (Georgetown, Mass.). Matt Conroy (Philadelphia, Pa.) pinch hit and drove in two more runs for a 12-0 Seahawk lead.

Salve Regina plays at Player Development Complex in Fort Myers on Thursday in a doubleheader with Fredonia State (10 a.m.). It will be the season opener for the Blue Devils.