Baseball Opens Season With Home Victory Over Gordon, 7-2, Friday Afternoon

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) baseball team opened the 2026 regular season by defeating Gordon College (Gordon), 7-2, during non-conference play Friday afternoon at the USJ Baseball Field in West Hartford, Conn. With the result, the Blue Jays started the year 1-0, while the Scots kicked off their new campaign 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays would open the scoring in the second inning, as senior catcher Chase Belisle (Wolcott, Conn) ripped an RBI single to left, driving in senior designated hitter Ethan Reemsnyder (Clinton, Conn.) to take an early 1-0 lead.
• USJ extended their advantage with a three-run fourth inning. Sophomore infielder Jack Kane (West Hartford, Conn.) lined a single to center to plate senior outfielder Ryan Quinn (Middletown, Conn.), doubling the lead. Freshman infielder Sam Balducci (South Windsor, Conn.) followed with a two-run double to left, scoring Kane and senior outfielder Dom Scalia (Northford, Conn.) to make it 4-0.
• Gordon would get on the board in the top half of the fifth, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
• USJ added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Junior outfielder Joseph Fritz (Tampa, Fla.) knocked in a run with an RBI single, and a Gordon fielding error allowed junior outfielder Luca Muscarella (New London, Conn.) to score, extending the lead to 7-1. 
• The Scots added a run in the bottom of the ninth, but would not be able to get any closer as USJ secured the season-opening victory, 7-2.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Senior right-hander Brandon Cahill (Meriden, Conn.) earned the win on the mound, tossing five strong innings and allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out seven.
• Five of the nine Blue Jay starters recorded multiple hit efforts.
• S. Balducci paced the team at the plate, reaching base four times in addition to recording his two RBIs.
• Sophomore pitcher Aaron LaRose (Hinesburg, Vt.) provided three scoreless innings in relief, surrendering just one hit to help seal the win.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays continue their three-game homestand to start the 2026 season, welcoming in Rhode Island College to the USJ Baseball Field on Saturday, February 28. First pitch between the Blue Jays and Anchormen is set for 1:00 p.m. in West Hartford, Conn.

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