WALTHAM, Mass. – Jared Berardino homered for the third consecutive game, but the No. 10 Bentley baseball team lost to Wilmington (Del.), 9-5, Saturday afternoon during the NCAA DII East Regional. The two teams meet again Sunday, May 17, starting at 11 a.m. The Falcons need two wins Sunday to advance to the Super Regional, whereas the Wildcats need just one win to advance.
Berardino launched a two-run homer in the first inning. It was his third consecutive game belting a home run in the first inning. He previously did so against Godley-Beacom during this weekend's NCAA East Regional (May 15), and he homered in the first inning of Bentley's Northeast 10 Championship title win at Southern New Hampshire (May 10). Berardino has 18 home runs this season.
Jake Maydak hit two RBI singles against the Wildcats. Following Berardino's home run, Bentley put runners on the corners thanks to base hits by
Nick Pappas and
Brendan Sencaj. Pappas scored when Maydak snuck a ground ball through the left side.
In the third inning, Pappas reached base on an error, and he moved into scoring position when
Stan DeMartinis III drew a walk. Maydak hit another single that was nearly identical to his first, just beating the diving third baseman and shortstop as Pappas rounded third to score for a 4-0 Bentley lead.
However, the Wildcats went on to score nine unanswered runs. Three homers accounted for five of those runs.
Berardino finished the game 3-for-5 at the plate, and Maydak went 2-for-4.
Â
Â
