Baseball Sweeps Dean in GNAC Doubleheader on Friday Afternoon

GAME ONE | USJ 11, DEAN 0

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays came out swinging in the second inning, erupting for seven runs to seize early control. The frame was highlighted by a towering grand slam from senior outfielder Dom Scalia (Northford, Conn.), giving USJ a commanding 7–0 lead.
• USJ added to its advantage in the fourth as senior infielder Ryan Shaw (Ellington, Conn.) continued his hot stretch, lacing a two‑run double to score Scalia and senior outfielder Ryan Quinn (Middletown, Conn.) and extend the margin to 9–0.
• The Blue Jays tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning behind another RBI double from Shaw and an RBI single by junior outfielder Joseph Fritz (Tampa, Fla.) to seal the 11–0 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Senior pitcher Brandon Cahill (Meriden, Conn.) improved to 6–0 with another dominant outing, tossing his fifth straight complete game. The right‑hander allowed just two hits and struck out nine over seven innings.
• All nine Blue Jays reached base safely in the win.
• Scalia and Shaw led the offense, combining for seven RBI.
• Fritz and Quinn each recorded three‑hit performances.

GAME TWO | USJ 13, DEAN 8

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays' offense stayed hot in game two, scoring twice in the opening inning. The early surge was highlighted by an RBI single from freshman infielder Sam Balducci (South Windsor, Conn.) to give USJ a 2–0 lead.
• USJ added two more in the second inning as senior infielder JJ Fox (Killingworth, Conn.) delivered an RBI double to plate sophomore outfielder Joe Gratta (Bristol, Conn.). A defensive miscue later in the frame allowed Quinn to advance and Fox to score, extending the lead to 4–0.
• Dean responded with four runs in the bottom of the second to even the score, then added two more in the third to take a 6–4 lead.
• USJ answered in the fourth when sophomore infielder Jack Kane (West Hartford, Conn.) launched his first home run of the season, a solo shot that trimmed the deficit to 6–5. Kane continued to spark the comeback in the fifth with an RBI triple to tie the game, before scoring on a wild pitch to give the Blue Jays a 7–6 edge.
• The Blue Jays added to their advantage in the sixth inning with an RBI single from Gratta and a sacrifice fly from Fox to push the lead to 9–6.
• Dean cut the margin to 9–7 on a sacrifice fly, but USJ regained control in the eighth, plating three runs. The rally was highlighted by another RBI single from Gratta and sophomore catcher Jack Kushman reaching on a defensive miscue to make it 12–7.
• Junior infielder Tyler Carlstrom (Rocky Hill, Conn.) added an insurance run in the ninth with an RBI single. Dean led off the bottom of the inning with a solo home run, but that would be all as USJ closed out the 13–8 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• USJ set a new season high with 21 hits.
• For the second straight game, all nine starters reached base safely.
• Carlstrom and Gratta each posted four‑hit games, while Kane, Balducci, and Shaw added three hits apiece.
• Junior pitcher Tyler Slack (Attleboro, Mass.) earned the win in relief to improve to 2–0, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out one.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to the field on Saturday, April 4, continuing GNAC play with a doubleheader against Colby‑Sawyer College. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m., with game two to follow at approximately 2:30 p.m. at the USJ Baseball Field in West Hartford, Conn.

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