Paul Frisoli
Paul Frisoli

Frisoli Pitches Bentley to 7-2 Win over Assumption in Season-Finale

WALTHAM, Mass. – Freshman right-hander Paul Frisoli (Watertown/Arlington Catholic HS) scattered four hits over eight innings to lead Bentley University to a 7-2 season-ending win over Assumption College in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division baseball Friday afternoon at DeFelice Field.

The win came after Assumption recorded a 4-2 win in the completion of a game that was suspended by rain on Thursday.

The 12-hit Bentley offensive included two hits apiece for sophomore designated hitter Nick Neshe (Waltham/Waltham HS), senior second baseman Zachary Littman (Abington/Abington HS), junior shortstop Justin Ashworth (Orange, Conn./Amity Regional HS) and freshman left fielder Cameron Cruz (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS).

After falling behind 1-0, Bentley took the lead with four runs in the fourth. Graduate student Ryan O'Connor (Newburyport/Newburyport HS) and Littman opened the inning with singles and were sacrificed into scoring position. Ashworth singled home O'Connor and Cruz gave the Falcons the lead when Littman scored on his hit.

Later in the inning, a two-run single by sophomore third baseman Mike Samko (Arlington/ BB&N) made it a 4-1 game with Cruz and senior catcher Bryan Rocha (Rehoboth/Dighton-Rehoboth HS) scoring.

After Assumption (19-24, 10-11 NE-10 Northeast) scored in the top of the seventh to draw within two, Bentley opened it up with three in the bottom half of the inning. Samko, with a walk, and Neshe, with a single, got it started and Samko scored Bentley's fifth run on a double to left. Two batters later, a two-run single up the middle by Littman drove in Neshe and Muir.

Frisoli, who recorded his fourth win (tying for the team-lead) in seven decisions, struck out six and didn't issue a walk before giving way to Neshe. Neshe retired the three he faced with two pop-ups and a grounder to second.

Thursday's game was halted with the game tied at two following five innings. Sophomore righty Kyle Chudoba (Oxford, Conn.) took over on the mound for Assumption when play resumed and he retired all 12 batters he faced with the ball never leaving the infield.

The Greyhounds scored what proved to be the winning run in the seventh. Senior center fielder Michael Panza (West Haven, Conn.) led off with a single to left, used a sacrifice and wild pitch to move to third, and scored on a two-out single to left by sophomore DH Andrew Jaehnig (Quincy). It was the fourth of five hits he had in the game.

Bentley had tied the game up in the fourth with Muir and O'Connor scoring. Littman singled up the middle to drive in Muir, and O'Connor scored while the Hounds were turning a double play.

Bentley, which finished at 15-25 (7-14 NE-10 Northeast), will lose five players to graduation: Muir, Littman, Rocha, O'Connor and pitcher Will Alden (Westford/Westford Academy). Muir, a four-year starter, finished his career with 175 hits and posted his second errorless season in left field.