Mitchell baseball ends pause by splitting with NEC

New London — Figuring out a starting lineup is harder than usual for Mitchell College baseball coach Travis Beausoleil.

First, Beausoleil has to check his roster for available players.

For example, the Mariners had 12 players sidelined for COVID-19 related issues for Wednesday's New England Collegiate Conference doubleheader against New England College. That's better than the 17 that Mitchell had in quarantine during one time.

At least they got to finally play a baseball game.

The Mariners had their previous eight games either postponed or canceled, so they took the field for the first time in 18 days on Wednesday. They also were unable to practice for over a week due to a campus outbreak and shutdown.

"It's definitely different," said junior Dougie DelaCruz, a Montville High School graduate. "This whole year has been really weird. Kind of just trying to stay focused on what the goal is. With a week and a half off, you just try to stay in the game and try to keep your mind focused on what needs to be accomplished.

"... We try to come out and play with whoever we have. If it is just nine of us, then we're going to come out and play as hard as we can."

Mitchell shook off the rust from a long layoff and split Wednesday's doubleheader, winning the second game 16-3 after losing the opener, 5-3. DelaCruz was the offensive star, finishing with three hits and eight RBI in the two games.

With a new turf field, the Mariners (8-5, 1-1) opened the season at home on Feb. 28 and played nine games before running into their first postponement on March 24. Since then, they had only two games before hosting NEC.

"It's tough, especially when we were one of the first and only teams playing in New England and then we get a three-week hiatus," Beausoleil said. "Baseball is a game where you need consistency. Consistent reps on the mound to be tight and clean and consistent reps at the plate so you can see the ball. It's tough, but we're battling it along with a lot of other teams. You can't have any excuses."

The layoff showed in the first game, as Mitchell scored just three runs and couldn't hold a 3-2 lead, allowing three runs in the seventh inning to suffer a defeat.

The Mariner bats came to life in the second game.

DelaCruz belted a grand slam to highlight a seven-run third inning that broke a 1-1 tie. He finished with seven RBI despite just one hit. He also had two sacrifice flies and drove in another run on a fielder's choice.

His team-leading third home run of the season bounced off the scoreboard beyond the left field fence.

"That's the spark that started the offensive surge for us," said DelaCruz, who has a team-high 23 RBI.

Junior Hunter Yaworski, a Killingly graduate, also had a productive game, going 3-for-3 with three RBI. Junior Lucca Adrovini-Brooker also had three hits and added two RBI.

Well-rested senior lefthander Jakari Pellegrini (3-3) looked sharp despite making his first appearance since March 27, taking a one-hitter in the sixth before tiring. He ended up allowing three hits and two runs in 5.2 innings, walking two and striking out five.

"It was the best I've seen him," Beausoleil said. "He was controlled and he was composed. He was commanding both sides of the plate. I thought he did a great job."

Beausoleil expects more players will be available to play this weekend when Mitchell takes on Lesley four times over two days in NECC play. Both teams are chasing New England College (7-11, 5-1), which is in first place.

"I think by next Tuesday or Wednesday, we'll be back to full health," Beausoleil said. "Hopefully."