Hamilton College held an 8-5 advantage in hits, but the Continentals fell 3-1 against Worcester State College (Mass.) at Chain O' Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla., on March 19.
Brendan Rafalski '11 pitched into the sixth inning and took the loss for Hamilton (2-3 overall). Rafalski allowed just three runs on four hits and struck out two. Michael Caruso '12 and Jake Saidman '09 combined to shut out Worcester in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
Joe Buicko '11 went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Grady Vigneau '10 went 2-for-4. Justin Atwood '11 had one hit and one RBI. Alex Augustyn '10 ripped a double to left field. Gideon Clark '09 singled and scored a run.
Worcester opened the scoring with one run in the first inning. Hamilton evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the sixth. Clark singled through the left side and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Buicko. Atwood singled up the middle to bring Clark home. Worcester responded with two tie-breaking runs in the bottom of the inning.
Hamilton will have a day off before the Continentals face Union College at the same site on Saturday, March 21.
