Babson eliminates Salve Regina to join final three

HARWICH, Mass. – Junior Ryan Arena (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) singled in the tying and go ahead run of the game in the bottom of the eighth as Babson College came from behind to defeat Salve Regina University 5-4 in an elimination game of the 2017 NCAA Division III New England Baseball Regional at Whitehouse Field.

With the victory, Babson (28-14) advances to face Suffolk University tomorrow at noon in the final elimination game before the championship round of the New England Regional.  With the loss, Salve Regina sees its season come to a close at 36-12, and four seniors don the Seahawk uniform for the final time - Billy Humes (East Rockaway, N.Y.), Frank Lemieux (Marshfield, Mass.), Cory Poplawski (Syracuse, N.Y.), Hunter Sleeper (Arlington, Mass.).

Babson trailed 4-1 heading to the bottom of the eighth inning after Salve Regina scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning.  The Beavers started the inning with back-back-back singles and had runners on the corners with two outs after two fielder's choices.  After a wild pitch and an intentional walk, Arena delivered the two run game winning single putting Babson ahead for the first time in the game.

The Seahawks had the lead in the top of the second on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Sam Brito (Lincoln, R.I.) after the Seahawks loaded the bases on an error, a single by junior Christian Vargas (Melbourne, Fla.) and a hit batter. 

The Beavers battled back tying the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Junior Mark Webber (Norwell, Mass.) walked to lead off the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice and took third on a wild pitch.  Sophomore Connor Gill (Sterling, Mass.) followed with an RBI single to left field tying the game.

The Seahawks plated three in the top of the sixth inning on an error, a double play and an RBI single by Vargas. Babson cut the lead back to one with two runs in the bottom of the inning as Arena crossed the plate on a wild pitch and Connor Gill (Sterling, Mass.) drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.

Babson received two hits and two RBI from Gill, while Arena drove in a pair of runs and scored once.  Salve Regina received two hits apiece from John Militano (Miller Place, N.Y.) and Vargas.

Senior Ken Rotunno (East Islip,  N.Y.) earned the victory in relief for the Beavers going one inning and allowing no runs on no hits, while junior Matt Cuneo (Ashland, Mass.) earned the save recording a scoreless ninth.  Junior Tommy Seaver (Rocky Hill, Conn.) took the loss in relief for the Seahawks going an inning and two thirds allowing two earned runs on three hits with a strikeout and three walks.