HARWICH, Mass. — Catcher Ian Lee played the role of hero for the St. Joseph’s College baseball team Friday afternoon at the NCAA Division III New England Regional.
Lee ripped a two-out, two-run double to right-center in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Monks a 4-3 win in an elimination game against No. 1 seed Tufts.
The win sends St. Joseph’s to another elimination game at 8 p.m. tonight against No. 3 Wheaton.
Lee, who worked the count full while fouling off four pitches, said he choked up on his bat and waited for a fastball away on the final pitch.
“I picked up something in his delivery and knew I’d get something to hit,” said Lee, a senior from Hampden. “I knew Todd (Keneborus) was off (from first base) on the pitch and I felt like this was my turn. I needed this.”
Tufts eliminated St. Joseph’s from last year tournament.
Sam Butts of Saco started the winning rally, reaching on an error and moving to third on a single to right by Keneborus, of Hollis.
Mike Pratt struck out, leaving it up to Lee.
“Those are the guys you want up,” said Monks Coach Will Sanborn. “Ian is a clutch player and I think this win shows the character of this group. They weren’t about to give up.”
St. Joseph’s had an opportunity to win it in the 10th when a squeeze attempt went awry with a popped up bunt that resulted in a double play.
Scarborough’s Kevin Chamberlain had a strong start for the Monks and didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning.
“I’ve been with Ian for four years and I knew if there was someone who could do it, it was him,” said Chamberlain.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
