Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DAVENPORT, FL. – The Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team (5-2) opened their spring break trip to Florida with a doubleheader against SUNY Brockport (2-11) at Northeast Regional Park in Davenport. The Warriors were victorious in both games by a single run, including a walk-off from Dylan Jackson (Manchester) in the second game.
 
In the early game, Stephen Rickert (Williston, VT) shut Brockport down, allowing five hits and just one earned run in 7.2 innings pitched. In a game where runs were hard to come by, the Warriors had an opportunity to do damage in the top of the first, loading the bases with no outs. SUNY Brockport's Tyler Pohlman was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout and a double play ball. The Golden Eagles opened the scoring with an RBI single from Cole Grazioplene, scoring Evan Brock, who doubled in his first at-bat of the day.
 
The Warriors quickly responded, using a triple down the right field line from Hank Penders (Wethersfield) to score Matthew Carrera (Mount Sinai, NY), leveling the score at one. Eastern was able to get Penders in to score and give themselves the lead on a groundout from J.T. Clark (Bristol). An insurance run was delivered in the top of the 9^th, as a double from Jackson got the Warriors started. Advancing on Carrera's groundout, Jackson was able to walk across the plate via an RBI single from Penders, who was 3-4 in the first game.
 
Despite two strikeouts to begin the bottom of the 9^th by Noah Fitzgerald (York, ME), SUNY Brockport was able to put together a late push, benefiting from an error to bring Grazioplene home and make it a one run game once again. With Matt Mayer up at bat, Fitzgerald struck out his third batter of the inning and sealed victory for the Warriors in game number one.
 
The second game was headlined by Rob Moynihan (Ledyard) who had another impressive outing in his second career start as a Warrior, allowing just five hits in seven innings, including three earned runs. Although SUNY Brockport did not record a hit in the top of the first, Josh Indek, who was walked on a 3-2 count, stole second and advanced around the bases from his teammates' groundouts. The early advantage for this game's visiting team was doubled by a RBI single from Evan Brock in the top of the 4^th, scoring Steven Merkel.
 
Starting pitcher Bryce Tyndell exited the game after four innings pitched, replaced by Connor Villano for the Golden Eagles. In the bottom of the 5^th, the Warriors found their best offense of the day, as Teige Kimbler (Albany, NY) hit a single to right field, allowing two runners to score. Villano lasted just 0.1 innings, giving up three walks and four earned runs before being replaced by Brenden Pajak. SUNY Brockport stole a run back in the 7^th and another in the top of the 8^th, but the Warriors were left with an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the 9^th.
 
Devin Kulas (Southington) walked to lead off the 9^th and a well-placed bunt from Carrera advanced Kulas to second with just one out. Penders flew out to right field and sent Jackson to the plate with two outs and the winning run at third. In his only plate appearance of the second game, he delivered, sending a ball to right center and bringing home Kulas for another Warrior victory.
 
The Warriors are back in action on Monday at Northeast Regional Park Field #4 at 9:30 a.m, when they take on the Eagles of Benedictine University (IL.). Benedictine is an even 6-6 on the season and will face Eastern for their last of eight games played in Davenport. Eastern is seeking their fourth consecutive win this season, having opened the year with a 2-2 record. Last year, the Eagles of Benedictine University finished the season with a 26-17 record, while the Warriors were 30-13.