Lions win fifth straight game
Andrews belts 2-run homer in 4-3 victory
LINCOLN – Aaron DeSousa flashed his wheels when he stole second base in the sixth inning Monday night at Chet Nichols Field. It was the second theft of the contest for the Lincoln baseball team’s No. 3 hitter.
DeSousa represented the tying run with the Lions trailing North Providence by a run. First base was open, yet the Cougars elected to pitch to cleanup hitter Stephen Andrews.
That turned out to be a big mistake. Andrews drove a two-strike fastball over the left-center field fence, a shot that got out in such a hurry that there was no need for the North Providence outfielders to move. The two-run home run was Andrews’ third round tripper of the season and propelled the Lions to their fifth straight win, 4-3.
“Felt great,” said Andrews afterwards. “I like hitting after Aaron because he always seems to come up with big hits and I want to follow what he does.”
It was Lincoln’s 3-4 combination that proved the difference on this night. With the home team down 3-0, DeSousa came through with a two-out, two-run single in the third inning. The junior started the season at first base but was moved to the outfield in an effort to take full advantage of his speed. He’s also a disruptor on the bases, which may have tipped the scales in the Lions’ favor after he opened the sixth with a single and advanced into scoring position with Andrews in the batter’s box.
“Just getting over to second base put a little more pressure on (North Providence starting pitcher Michael Sollitto), causing him to drop his arm just a little bit more,” said LHS head coach Vin Zibelli. “Now Sol- litto is looking more and that brought it right into Stephen’s wheel house. He stayed down and drove it.”
The Andrews blast made a winner out of Lincoln reliever Corey Mayer, who stranded the potential game-tying run at third base after North Providence’s seventh inning featured a walk, a bunt that advanced the runner to second base, and a groundout that moved him over to third. Mayer also stranded a Cougar baserunner in the sixth.
“He’s our No. 2 pitcher and we didn’t use him last week because of health issues,” said Zibelli. “Seeing the way he threw today with that pop was great to see. I’m happy for him.”
The Cougars (3-9, Division I) took a 2-0 lead in the second as a wild throw on a double-play bid enabled two runs to score. North Providence loaded the bases in the third as Lincoln failed to execute a rundown between second and third. A run crossed the plate as Lincoln starter Brandon Kelly issued a walk with the bases loaded.
Kelly rebounded to toss a scoreless fourth and fifth before Lincoln (7-5, Division I) turned things over to its bullpen. He scattered four hits with three strikeouts and three walks while throwing 90 pitches.
“He gutted it out,” said Zibelli. “He was a senior leader who didn’t put his head down. He kept us in the game for Corey to come in.”
Zibelli and Andrews traced the Lions’ recent string of success to one common thread.
“Never give up and never beat yourself. They go hand in hand,” the coach said. “They decided to be resilient and stuck to- gether.”
Added Andrews, “There’s a good bond between us.”
The Lions, who return to the diamond Wednesday at Pilgrim, have several seniors who will continue playing baseball at the college level. Ace pitcher Dom Cunha recently committed to Division I Elon University in North Carolina while infielder Blake Zaniol is heading to Bryant as a walk-on. Andrews is on his way to Boston-based Lasell College.