THE BASICS

Score: 
Lesley University, 3 vs Thomas College, 6

Location: Bangor, Maine.- Winkin Complex

Date: Friday, May 9, 2025

THE LEAD – In a game that remained scoreless through the first five innings in a win or go home North Atlantic Conference (NAC) semifinals matchup, Thomas would ultimately earn a 6-3 win over Lesley Friday afternoon. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The opening five innings Friday were a pitchers duel between Lesley starter Andrew Gryniewicz (Hollis, N.H.)  and Thomas' starter Ankit Shah. The Lynx had a chance to strike first in the top of the first when the squad had runners at first and second with one out after James Brandon (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) was intentionally walked and Raymond Morales (Naugatuck, Conn.) drew a walk leading off the game. However, Shah escaped the Lesley threat by forcing a flyout and groundout.
• Thomas also a good look of its own to get on the board in the bottom of the third with runners on second and third and two outs after a single from Hayden Dippner and double off the bat of Elijah Morton. Not phased by the pressure, Gryniewicz ended the Thomas momentum by retirign the next batter via groundout and keep things scoreless.
• Later in the top of the sixth, Lesley finally broke the scoreless tie thanks to an Owen Kalagher (Fairfield, Conn.) sacrifice fly that brought home Christian McElroy (Toms River, N.J.) who doubled to lead off the inning. However, the Lynx lead was short-lived as the Terriers responded in the bottom half of the frame with two runs to go up 2-1. With the bases loaded and two outs down 2-1, Dippner drove in the go-ahead run with a single that found a gap through the left side which plated Samuel Keblinsky who was intentionally walked earlier. 
• The Lynx had a great opportuntiy in the top of the seventh to jump back on top after back-to-back singles from Morales and McElroy along with an intentional walk to Brandon with two outs. Unfortunately, Terriers pitcher Daniel May escaped the Lesley threat with a strikeout to keep the Thomas lead at 2-1.
• In the bottom of the eighth, Thomas did the most of its damange thanks to a four-run inning which was highlighted by a two-run RBI double courtesy of Cam Haynes which made it 6-1. 
• Just like all year when the team was down, Lesley would not go quietly. Brandon would cut the Terriers lead to four (6-2) thanks to an RBI single through the right side which brought home Colby Jacobs (Charlton, Mass.) who was walked earlier. Later in the inning, Justin Dennett (Fairfield, Conn.) drove in Lesley's third run courtesy of a sacrifice fly with two outs. However, Terriers closer Andrew Pruell finsihed things off by forcing Lynx flyout for the 6-3 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Three different Lynx recorded an RBI in Friday's contest (Brandon, Dennett, and Kalagher). 
• Gryniewicz took the hard loss Friday after going 6.0 innings while allowing five hits and two runs and fanning five. Friday's game marked his fifth on the year with at least five or more strikeouts.
• Haynes guided the Thomas offense with two RBIs. Meanwhile, three other Terriers recorded at least one RBI (Dippner, Jason Bartlett, and Matt Seymour).
• Shah earned the win after tossing 5.1 IP and gave up three hits and one run while striking out three.
• Despite the loss, Lesley outhit Thomas by an 8-7 margin.