PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Saint Joseph's baseball team scored early and often against Hoosac Valley on Monday afternoon, scoring at least two runs combined in each of the first four innings on its way to an 11-8 win at home. 

Hoosac starter Justin Nichols got off to a slow start, allowing five earned runs over the first two innings of play. The sophomore hurler struck out two and walked two to take the loss. The Hurricanes' offense kept its team in the game by scoring four runs over the first three frames, but the Crusaders (5-8) answered back with five more runs, three of which were earned, against Hoosac reliever Zach Brassard. A three-run fourth inning was too much for the 'Canes (7-4) to handle, as the hosts built a commanding 10-4 lead. 

Matt Begrowicz had two hits and two RBI for St. Joe's, which also received a pair of singles from Alex Weber. Jeremy Wich had a good day on both sides of the field, picking up the win on the mound by allowing four earned runs in three innings of relief. Wich also collected two hits on the day, including a two-run triple in his team's three-run second frame. 

"Today, our pitchers struggled getting ahead of the hitters and fell behind on most of the batters," Hoosac head coach Bob Rivard said. "St. Joe's really took advantage of it. We had our chances on offense. However, we left men on early in the game and didn't take advantage of it." 

Zach Brassard led the Hurricanes' offense, going 1 for 3 with two RBIs, while  Mike Koperniak was 1 for 2 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

After Hoosac scored four times in the top of the sixth to cut the hosts' lead down to 10-8, Mike Carpenter locked up the win for the Crusaders by striking out four in two innings of scoreless relief. 

Hoosac next hosts Lee at 4 p.m. on Friday.