Filiere’s Two Home Runs Lead MIT Past WPI, 18-8

Sophomore Austin Filiere

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – NEWMAC Player of the Week, sophomore Austin Filiere (Chandler, Ariz.), went 5-for-5 with a grand slam and a two-run shot in an 18-8 MIT victory over visiting WPI in a NEWMAC divisional crossover game Tuesday afternoon. The hosts improve to 15-9 overall and 12-2 in NEWMAC action while the Crimson and Gray slip to 22-10 and 9-5 in the loop.

WPI got on the scoreboard with an RBI ground out by senior John Mulready (Rockland, Mass.) in the top of the first. MIT answered with two in the home half of the inning as junior John Drago (Peoria, Ariz.) scored on a double play ball and senior Nate Rodman (Corvallis, Ore.) followed with a run-producing single to left for the 2-1 lead after one.

In the bottom of the second, Filiere connected on his grand slam, which moved him to the top of the
MIT record book with 21 career home runs. The hosts exploded for eight more in the fourth, highlighted by a Drago two-run double to center and Filiere's two-run blast as the Cardinal and Gray enjoyed a 14-1 cushion after four.

Worcester's Engineers plated three in the sixth to make it a 14-4 ballgame. Mulready began with a sacrifice fly to center. Senior DJ Ouellette (Watertown, Conn.) sent an RBI single to right center and classmate John Caliri (Hanson, Mass.) pushed an RBI single down the left field line.

Another WPI double play resulted in another MIT score when sophomore Garrett Greenwood (Edmond, Okla.) scored on a ball put into play by Rodman in the bottom of the sixth.

Senior Alec Echevarria (Chula Vista, Calif.) cleared the fence down the left field line with a two-run homer. One more run scored on a single though the left side by sophomore David Heller (Fair Lawn, N.J.).

Mulready began a ninth-inning rally with an RBI double down the left field line. Capuano then singled to short, chasing home senior Alex Venditti (Newton, Mass.). Ouellette walked to load the bases, setting the table for a 2-RBI single by freshman Steven Gallagher (Coventry, R.I.). The bases were juiced once more thanks to a free pass issued to Caliri. 

 

Gallagher was the only Boynton Hiller with a pair of hits to go with a pair of RBI. Mulready added three RBI and a sacrifice fly as seniors Anthony Capuano (Stoneham, Mass.) and Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, N.Y.) each crossed home plate twice. D'Ambrosio also swiped a base for WPI.

Filiere drove in six runs and scored four times in addition to a pair of doubles, a walk and a stolen base. Greenwood finished 4-for-6 with an RBI and four runs scored. Echevarria went 3-for-5 with a home run, a stolen base, two RBI and a run scored while senior Eric Tu (San Ramon, Calif.) was 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored. Drago was a perfect 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, two RBI and three runs scored. Rodman (walk, RBI, two runs) and Heller (walk, two RBI, sac fly) each had a pair of hits as did sophomore Max Lancaster (Attleboro, Mass.) in the form of doubles to go along with an RBI and a run scored.

Senior Alan Wang (Paoli, Pa.) and freshman Jack Murphy (Pleasanton, Calif.) combined for three strikeouts in the first six innings while freshman Travis Hank (Chicago, Ill.) and sophomore Zach Michaud (Moorestown, N.J.) each tossed a hitless frame. Freshman Nick Charchut (Santa Monica, Calif.) yielded to senior Michael Wymer (Flower Mound, Texas) who fanned the final two batters of the game.

WPI closes out the conference portion of the season with a NEWMAC West series against Springfield. The Crimson and Gray ventures west for a 3:30 p.m. game Friday and will host the Pride for a 3:30 p.m. set Saturday at Clark. MIT heads to Suffolk Wednesday for a 4pm non-conference game before taking on Wheaton this weekend in a NEWMAC East series, which is set for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch Friday in Cambridge.

WPI Sports Information Provided This Release