Massasoit Falls In Pitching Duel To UCAP, 2-1

GROTON, Conn. ---- Tom Protentis and Luke Nagle combined on a four-hitter, but the UCAP (University of Connecticut at Avery Point) pitching staff was just tad better as the Massasoit Community College baseball team lost 2-1 on Friday afternoon.

"We pitched well, we defended well, we just didn't hit today," head coach Tom Frizzell said. "If we play like we did today against other conference teams I think we will be alright."

Tom Protentis (0-2), a Lakeville native, received the starting nod for the Warriors, logging the first five innings. The right-hander surrendered two runs (earned) off four hits with two walks, which accounted for both runs, and one strikeout.

Luke Nagle (Pembroke) held UCAP hitless over the final three innings, recording five strikeouts on the bump for Massasoit (4-6).

UCAP held a 2-0 lead heading into the seventh, when Massasoit finally broke through offensively. Patrick Murray (Weymouth) was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a single by Joseph Walsh (Taunton). Later in the frame, Nagle knocked in Murray with a sacrifice fly. Walsh would make it to third base, but the tying run was stranded 90 feet away.

"My coaching philosophy is that if you keep your walks and errors under five you have a really good chance to win," Frizzell said. "We did that, but the walks we allowed both scored and we didn't swing it like we can today."

The Warriors were held to just three hits for the game.

Massasoit returns to the diamond on Tuesday, hosting Bunker Hill CC at 3:30 p.m.