SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –The Roger Williams University Baseball team completed a weekend sweep of the Western New England Golden Bears at Trelease Park by way of 3-2 and 12-7 victories.
 
The Hawks offense was supercharged in game two, thanks to a grand slam from Ben Bonavita (E. Longmeadow, Mass.), as well as two homers from center fielder Tyler Cedeno (Maynard, Mass.). The two vets finished the doubleheader going a combined 8-18, with one walk, four runs, and ten runs batted in. Brandon Jenkins (East Bridgewater, Mass.), was held in check in the first contest, only reaching first base off a walk, but the second game was a different story as the first basemen reached four times in six plate appearances, scoring three runs in the process.
 
On the mound, the Hawks were treated to another strong start from the southpaw Justin Garcia (Foxborough, Mass.), who improved to 4-0, as well as a seven-inning rebound for the game two starter, Chris Flynn (Naugatuck, Conn.) to advance to 5-1 on the year.  
 
Hawk Highlights
Game 1
Jack Morin: 1-for-4, RS
Tyler Cedeno: 2-for-3, 2B, BB,
Ben Bonavita: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, RS
Mike Masino: 1-for-3, 2B, BB, RS
 
Justin Garcia: (W, 4-0), 6 IP, 4 H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Connor Hewlette: (SV), 3 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 5 K
 
For The Opponents
CJ Willis: 2-for-3, HR, SB, CS, BB, 2 RBI, RS
Vincent Caccavale: 1-for-4, RS
 
Kevin Hummer: (L, 3-2), 7.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
 
How It Happened
Roger Williams came into the first game after two dominant showings during the week that saw the veteran unit outscore their opponents 22-3. Looking to keep that momentum going, the visitors were swinging early as Ben Bonavita (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) drove a two-out double to left field, driving home Jack Morin (North Andover, Mass.), and Matt Massaro (Fairfield, Conn.). Christopher Flynn (Randolph, N.J.) helped Bonavita complete his journey around the bases with a single to right field, giving RWU an early 3-0 lead in the first.
 
This would be all Roger Williams would do on the scoreboard though, as the squad hit safely on just two more occasions during the remaining eight innings. Luckily, the team had their ace, Justin Garcia (Foxborough, Mass.) dealing. The graduate student starter lasted six innings, striking out six while surrendering four hits. The one Golden Bear runner that made it around the diamond while Garcia was on the mound was off of a Mike Masino (Bayville, N.J.) error in the third inning. In relief for Garcia was fellow grad student, Connor Hewlette (Deer Park, N.Y.). Who picked up his second save of the season, the long way, putting on a on a show in the process, striking out five over his three innings of work. WNE's CJ Willis (Auburn, Mass.) provided Hewlette his only blemish on the day, with a homer in the eighth inning, but the solo shot was not enough as the Golden Bears managed only two singles the rest of the way as the Hawks claimed game one with the 3-2 victory.
 
Game 2
Tyler Cedeno: 2-for-6, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 RS
Ben Bonavita: 3-for-5, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, RS
Brandon Jenkins: 3-for-5, 2B, BB, 3 RS
Matt Massaro: #-for-#, 2B, 3B, HR, SB, BB, RBI, RS
Mike Masino: 1-for-4, 2B, SB, BB, RBI, RS
Christopher Flynn: 2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 RS
 
Chris Flynn: (W, 5-1), 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 7 K
 
For The Opponents
CJ Willis: 3-for-5, SB, 2 RBI, RS
Ben Harrison: 2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, RS
Sean Jamieson: 1-for-3, SB, 2 BB, RBI
 
Robert Zawacki: (L, 1-2), 4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, K
Matt Vigliotti: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K
Kyle Roberts: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB
Brandon Kohl: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB
 
How It Happened
After a low scoring first game, the Hawks bats came alive early in the second contest. Graduate student Tyler Cedeno (Maynard, Mass.) got the party started with a leadoff dinger to left center. The early score was promptly boosted with a deep triple by Ben Bonavita (East Longmeadow, Mass.) who, in the process, drove in Brandon Jenkins (East Bridgewater, Mass.). Cedeno was back at the plate, again with a man on and two outs in the second and once again he belted a ball over the fence, bringing Christopher Flynn (Randolph, N.J.) home as well.
 
While the defense was on the field, Chris Flynn (Naugatuck, Conn.) kept the Golden Bears offense in check, sending six batters packing while allowing only two hits over the first five frames. The first runs for the hosts came in the sixth when Ben Harrison (Newtown, Conn.) took Flynn deep, while also driving in a run. The Hawks lead after that shot remained at four after Mike Masino (Bayville, N.J.) and Tommy Hobin (Madison, Conn.) drove in runs in the top of that inning.
 
RWU finished off their offensive output with a Bonavita grand slam in the seventh, and two more runs in the eighth, with Jenkins reaching home on a wild pitch, and London Camelo (Bristol, R.I.) singling home Jack Morin (North Andover, Mass.). Western New England attempted to mount a comeback in the final two innings against the Hawks bullpen, but it only resulted in a change in the final score as RWU completed the sweep with a 12-7 win.
 
Coach's Corner
Today Garcia did not have his best stuff, but he gutted it out there and got through six strong with really just his fastball. However even when Garcia does not have his best stuff, he is still really hard to hit and eventually he gave the ball to Hewlette who dominated the rest of the game.
 
Offensively in game one we did not have the greatest day. Hummer is always a tough guy to hit for WNE, but we got to him early and it ended up being enough.
 
In game two Flynn shoved. He looked really good out there dominating through the first five innings and had one bad pitch in the sixth which led to two-run home run. Padovich was first of the pen then to Fraleigh who looked really good. Even though the game was in hand we felt like we needed to get Harz some work and he looked sharp as well.
 
Offensively Cedeno, Jenkins, and Bonavita went off. Tyler had two home runs which where the first and second of his career and Ben had a huge swing with the bases loaded which really opened the game up. Jenkins is hot and just continues to hit!
 
I would like to see us play cleaner defensively, but other than that it is always good to sweep on conference Saturdays.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (21-3-1): Tuesday, April 19 at Johnson & Wales @ 4:00pm
Opponent (12-11-1): Tuesday, April 19 at Nichols @ 3:30pm