MCC Splits Doubleheader With Franklin Pierce College JV

MANCHESTER, Conn. (April 22) – Sophomore right fielder Jason Banks (STAFFORD SPRINGS) totaled five hits, three runs and three RBIs as the Manchester Community College baseball team split a doubleheader against Franklin Pierce College JV Sunday afternoon at McCormick Field.

The Cougars (12-9 overall) won the first game, 4-3 in eight innings, and lost the second game, 9-7.

In the bottom of the eighth, Banks led off with single to left, advanced to third on a single by sophomore pitcher Shane Legare (WILLINGTON) and later scored the game-winning run on freshman catcher Derek M. Grundmann’s (COLCHESTER) bases-loaded walk.

Banks went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a first-inning RBI single. Legare had a two-run double to deep left center in the two-run third.

The 6-foot-9 Legare (2-1) pitched a complete-game seven-hitter for the win. He struck out five, hit two batters and allowed three runs (two earned) and one walk in eight innings.

Trailing 9-2 in the second game, MCC cut its deficit to two runs with three in the fifth and two in the sixth. Banks had an RBI single and sophomore utility player Nick Jones (EAST WINDSOR) a two-run single in the fifth. Sophomore second baseman Aaron Granahan (THOMASTON) hit a ball deep enough to left field for a sacrifice fly to score freshman left fielder Jon Sykes (EAST HARTFORD) in the sixth.

Manchester Community College freshman right-hander Kevin Garrison (BERLIN) sustained the loss. He allowed three runs (two earned), five hits and one walk in two innings in his first career start.

Sophomore third baseman Shane Murphy (TOLLAND) went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the second game for Franklin Pierce College JV (4-2). Stephen Doyle (0-1) and Fred Cole (1-0) were the pitchers of record for the Ravens.

MCC travels to Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Mass., for a 3:30 p.m. National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Region XXI game Thursday.