The Dirt Dawgs Stumble out of the 2017 Opening Gates

 

The Dirt Dawgs fall in the season opener, as the Pittsfield Suns overcome a quick start by Wachusett to come away with a 8-5 victory at Doyle Field, on Thursday night.

The Basics

Scores: Pittsfield Suns 8, Wachusett Dirt Dawgs 5

Records: Pittsfield (1–0) | Wachusett (0–1)

How It Happened

The Dirt Dawgs were led offensively by the efforts of Kyle Pangallo (SNHU) and John Stanton (SNHU). Pangallo went 3–for-5 on the night blasting a home-run to dead center while also picking up a double and single. Stanton got the Dawgs going early on launching a ball to deep right for a two-run shot. He ended up 1-for–2 on the night while also reaching base on a pair of walks and a hit by pitch.

The Suns received a stellar performance from Kevin Donati (SUNY Albany) as he went 2–for-4, including belting two home-runs over the left field fence. The Suns also received an offensive showing from their 8-9 hitters, as Andre Marrero (Quinnipiac) and Justin Cooke (Oklahoma) both drove in a pair of runs each.

The Dirt Dawgs wasted no time getting on the board as John Stanton(SNHU) blasted a two-run shot to right field in the home half of the first inning. Pittsfield cut the Wachusett advantage in half, with a solo home run by Kevin Donati (SUNY Albany)  in the top of the third. The Dirt Dawgs responded in their half of the third as Stanton scampered home on a passed ball.

In the top of the fourth, the Suns had an offensive outburst which included back-to-back home runs from Marrero and Donati. Naushon Galbraith (Elon University) came on to stop the bleeding for the Dirt Dawgs in the 4th.

The Dirt Dawgs answered again when Steven Gallagher singled to lead off the fourth and came around to score on a fielding miscue from the Suns.

After a leadoff walk in the sixth Marrero came around to score on a double by Conor Moriarty (UConn). Moriarty then came around after a couple of miscues to make the score 8–4 in favor of Pittsfield. Pangallo got the Dirt Dawgs back within three after a solo shot in the bottom half of the inning making it 8–5.

On the mound starter Dan Southerland (Wheaton) took the loss in 3.2 innings of work letting up six earned and striking out five. Suns starter Mitch Holcomb went 4.1 innings giving up four earned and striking out four. Suns reliever Austin Pope (Fairfield) picked up his first win of the year in 1.2 innings of relief.

Inside The Numbers

  • Suns reliever Craig Lacey (Bryant University) came in the bottom half of the ninth, and recorded a 1-2-3 inning to pick up his first save of the season.
  • Luke Brennan (Worcester State) pitched 3.0 innings of no-hit baseball in relief, while retiring a game high seven Suns, by way of the “K”.
  • Zach Tower (Franklin Pierce University) was the lone other Dirt Dawg to record multiple hits on the evening.
  • Both bullpens matched their opponent on the hill. The two teams relief pitching went 10.0 innings, while just yielding three hits, and collecting 19 strikeouts.

Up Next

The Dirt Dawgs will try to get to .500 on the young season with a 7:05pm first pitch at Brockton against the Rox. Pittsfield looks to continue their quick road trip, as they travel to the defending FCBL Champions, Nashua Silver Knights, for a 6:45pm tilt.