NCCC finishes up Florida swing at 9-3

Nationally-ranked Niagara County Community College finished 9-3 during its annual trek to the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Thunderwolves are next in action for a pair of non-conference doubleheaders in Maryland on March 22 and 24.

Niagara CCC 14, Delta College 2

Sophomore Vincent Chiarenza was 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored in the season-opening win. Classmate Garrett Boldt went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, two RBIs and three runs scored. Second-year pitcher Gunner Becker threw six innings and allowed just four hits, one earned run and struck out four.

Niagara CCC 13, Penn State Hazelton 1

Freshman southpaw Erik Johnson gave up just two hits and no earned runs in four innings of work. He also struck out seven. Chiarenza finished 2-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Freshman Raymond Specht was 3-for-3 and scored three times.

Niagara CCC 8, St. Cloud T&CC 2

Sophomore Joe Barberio went six innings and allowed just two hits and one earned run to get the win. He added five Ks. Chiarenza was 3-for-3 with three doubles and two runs scored and sophomore Bryan Rivera had two hits, including an RBI triple, and scored twice.

St. Cloud T&CC 6, Niagara CCC 4

Sophomore Kyle LaPlante had an RBI double and freshman Sam Mullen was 1-for-2 with an RBI in the loss.

Niagara CCC 7, Lansing CC 3

Rivera went 3-for-3 with two doubles, LaPlante was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, Chiarenza homered and sophomore Will Lawrence chipped in with a two-run triple. Classmate Alex Bish threw five strong innings to get the win.

Lansing CC 5, Niagara CCC 2

Barberio was 2-for-3 with an RBI in defeat. Freshman Devaun Farnham allowed only three hits in four innings of relief.

Minnesota State C&TC 9, Niagara CCC 2

LaPlante was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored in the setback. Freshman Ryan Peterson allowed just two earned runs and struck out six batters in 6.1 innings of relief.

Niagara CCC 10, Minnesota State C&TC 3

Sophomore Garrett Baugher had two hits and scored three times for the victorious T-Wolves. Barbero, meanwhile, was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Second-year pitcher Lou Destino struck out five and allowed just two hits over four innings of work.

Niagara CCC 11, Minnesota State C&TC 1

Becker was dominant on the mound as he allowed just three hits and struck out five in a complete-game effort. Sophomore Garrett Boldt was 2-for-2 with four RBIs and Lawrence finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs and scored twice.

Niagara CCC 10, Minnesota West C&TC 0

Johnson tossed a two-hitter with five Ks for NCCC. Lawrence and Barberio each went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the win.

Niagara CCC 8, Owens CC 0

Sophomore Keegan Ernest threw a three-hitter with six strikeouts to earn the win. LaPlante had three RBIs and sophomore Troy Banks chipped in with two hits and two RBIs.

Niagara CCC 5, Owens CC 0

Sophomore Dillon Boyack got the victory on the bump as he allowed just two hits and struck out five in four innings of work. Baugher had two hits and two RBIs and Banks ripped a pinch-hit two-run single to blow the game open.