NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The College of Saint Rose baseball team swept a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader at Merrimack College this afternoon and in the process evened its record at 12-12 in league action. The Golden Knights (18-22/12-12 NE-10), who have now won four straight, took the opener 8-3 and scored in each of the first six innings of the nightcap to walk away with a 16-6 decision.

In game one, senior right-hander Nick DeMidio went eight strong innings for Saint Rose, allowing three runs on nine hits and fanning five. Sophomore lefty David Batchelder surrendered a double in the ninth before retiring the next three batters in order to close things out.

The Golden Knights grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. Freshman second baseman Michael Carbone scored on an RBI single from sophomore third baseman Grant Smith. Smith then came around to score thanks to a triple by sophomore left fielder Garret Keenan.

The Warriors (15-23/6-16 NE-10) pushed across a run in the fourth and fifth before taking a 3-2 lead in the seventh. Junior shortstop Brendan Pyburn tripled to start the seventh and scored on a fielder's choice by junior first baseman Matt Hogan.

However, Smith deposited a three-run double into right center field in the eighth, slapped an RBI single in the ninth and junior center fielder Ryan Price tacked on an RBI double to provide the final margin.

In the finale, Saint Rose jumped out to a 10-0 lead after four and a half while pounding out a season-high 18 hits in the ballgame. Smith started things off with a sacrifice fly in the first, while junior right fielder Jake Perez scored on an error in the second prior to an RBI single from sophomore shortstop Ryan Burke.

The Golden Knights plated four runs in the third when Burke drew a bases loaded walk and Carbone cleared them with a three-run double. Senior first baseman Paul Partridge belted his sixth home run of the season in the fourth and junior catcher Derek Marshall added a three-run shot of his own in the sixth to cap the initial onslaught. 

Senior right-hander Brendon Malkowski scattered six hits in 5.0 innings of work to pick up the win for Saint Rose. Malkowski fanned five, walked one and yielded an unearned run in the fifth before the Golden Knights' pen wrapped things up.

Carbone wound up 5-for-6 with three RBI, two doubles and two runs to pace the offense. Marshall finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs, while Burke, Partridge and Price added two hits apiece.

Both clubs will make the trip to Albany this evening in preparation for a 12:00 pm twin-bill tomorrow at Bleecker Stadium. Game one is scheduled to be a league contest, while game two is slated for a seven-inning non-conference affair. 

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2