Rachiele Hits for Cycle to Lead MCLA Past Westfield State
NORTH ADAMS, Mass.—Austin Rachiele went 4-for-4 hitting for the cycle in MCLA's 5-4 MASCAC victory over Westfield State this afternoon.
Taconic High graduate Rachiele (4-for-4, two RBIs) led off the bottom of the 1st with his 8th home run of the season to put MCLA (8-17, 2-8) up, 1-0, but Westfield State (10-15, 5-15) tied things up on a Nolan Florence sacrifice fly in the top of the second.
A Jayco Pena sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third drove in Rachiele, who had doubled and advance to third on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Noel Media scored from second thanks to a Ty Mazzeo double to right to make it 3-1.
The Owls loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth and manage to tie the game 3-3 after a sacrifice fly and hit batsman.
A Rachiele triple in the bottom of the seventh would drove in Justin Hernandez to give the Trailblazers a 4-3 lead and complete the cycle for the senior center fielder. Rachiele later scored on a Noel Medina base hit and the home team took a 5-3 lead into the eighth.
Doubles by Westfield's Nick Marshall and Dan Burnett in the top of the 9th trimmed the lead to 5-4, but MCLA held on to earn the hard-fought conference win.
Westfield starting pitcher Michael Hall pitched six innings allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out seven batters in the loss.
MCLA starter Aiden Brett pitched five strong innings allowing three runs on four hits while reliever James Sneyd finished the game off to earn the win going four innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three batters.
MCLA travels to Skidmore College on Wednesday.
