Posted: Mar 24, 2026
Baseball Uses Four-Run Eighth to Rally Past Keene State, 7-6, at Home on Tuesday
Keene St.
(6-9)
6
Saint Joseph (Conn.)
(10-5)
7
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Keene St. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 0 |
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | X | 7 | 8 | 1 |
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) baseball team erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to rally past Keene State College, 7–6, in non‑conference action on Tuesday afternoon at the USJ Baseball Field. With the comeback victory, the Blue Jays improved to 10–5 on the season, while the Owls fell to 6–9.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Keene State struck first in the opening inning, taking a 1–0 lead on an RBI single from Jonathan Chatfield.
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USJ answered in the third when freshman infielder Sam Balducci (South Windsor, Conn.) lined an RBI double to left‑center field, scoring sophomore catcher Jack Kushman (Southington, Conn.) to even the score at 1–1.
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The Owls regained the lead in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Otis Follet, but the Blue Jays responded in the bottom half of the frame. Junior outfielder Joseph Fritz (Tampa, Fla.) grounded out to third base, allowing senior outfielder Dom Scalia (Northford, Conn.) to score and knot the game at 2–2.
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Keene State seized momentum in the sixth inning, plating three runs to take a 5–2 advantage.
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USJ began to chip away in the bottom of the inning as senior outfielder Ryan Quinn (Middletown, Conn.) reached on a fielder's choice, bringing home sophomore infielder Jack Kane (West Hartford, Conn.) to cut the deficit to 5–3.
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The Owls added another run in the seventh on an RBI double from Derek Finlay, extending their lead to 6–3.
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The Blue Jays responded in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the eighth. Fritz delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a game‑tying three‑run home run—his first of the season—to even the score at 6–6.
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Later in the inning, sophomore infielder Hunter Normandin (Sturbridge, Mass.) lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring senior outfielder Nelson Rondon (Meriden, Conn.) to give USJ its first lead of the game at 7–6.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Quinn paced the offense with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored.
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Fritz drove in a team‑high four RBI.
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Junior pitcher Colin Carver (Deep River, Conn.) earned the win in relief, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out one.
UP NEXT
The Blue Jays return to the diamond on Thursday, March 26, hosting Johnson & Wales University for a non‑conference matchup. First pitch between USJ and the Wildcats is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the USJ Baseball Field.
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