Regional Host Site: https://bantamsports.com/feature/NCAAregional

NCAA Digital Program: https://www.ncaa.com/DIIIBaseball

HARTFORD, Conn. (Sat., May 29, 2021) - Salve Regina University sophomore first baseman Tyler Cannoe (Schenectady, N.Y.) broke a 1-1 tie with a bases clearing double in the bottom of the third and the Seahawks held on for a 4-2 win against Johnson & Wales University to eliminate the Wildcats in the NCAA Championships Hartford Regional.

Salve Regina (16-6-1) wins its second straight elimination game in the regional and advances to play tomorrow against Wheaton College (18-5) who lost tonight for the first time in the tournament.

The Seahawks and Wildcats met for the first time since an 8-8 tie on March 10, 2020, just before the pandemic shutdown. The teams planned to resume that contest later in April last year, but COVID-19 halted Salve Regina's streak in the series at 15 straight wins.

Seahawk freshman righty Brayden Clark (Beverly, Mass.) hurled six strong innings of one-run ball allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out three Wildcats. Ryan O'Donnell (Saunderstown, R.I.) and Zach Lopez (New Canaan, Conn.) worked the seventh frame to hand the closing duties to Graham Jeffries (Chelmsford, Mass.). Clark improved to 3-1 and Jeffries earned his first collegiate save.

Sophomore outfielder Matt D'Amato (Midland Park, N.J.) opened the Seahawk offensive attack with a double to right field. Junior outfielder Jared Beniers (Abington, Mass.) reached on a bunt single to place runners at the corners. The two table setters executed a double steal for an early 1-0 lead.

A walk, hit by pitch, and wild pitch allowed Kevin Duffy (Levittown, N.Y.) to score on EJ Leone's (Peabody, Mass.) ground out to shortstop Michael Breen (Auburn, Mass.) and tie the score 1-1 in the top of the second.

Three bases on balls in the third issued by Wildcat starter Jake McDonough (Greenville, R.I.) loaded the bases for Cannoe who would face reliever Kyle Cutler (East Hampton, Conn.). Cannoe's drive brought home D'Amato, Brandon Grover (Ashland, Mass.), and Dylan Ketch (Clinton, Conn.).

Zeroes filled the board the rest of the way except the top of the seventh when a hit by pitch and three walks put the Wildcats within two runs, 4-2. Jeffries struck out four of the seven batters he faced.

Salve Regina extends its advantage in the all-time series with Johnson & Wales to a 26-8-2 mark. Leading 5-4 in its all-time series with Wheaton, Salve Regina seeks revenge for its only setback in the regional, 5-4 to the Lyons on Thursday.