Winston, Almeida go deep as Brandeis tops Fitchburg State, 14-3

WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior DH Jon Winston (Nanuet, N.Y.) and rookie LF Dave Almeida (Bridgeport, Conn.) both hit home runs today to pace a 13-hit Brandeis University attack as the Judges defeated visiting Fitchburg State College, 14-3, on Stein Diamond.

Brandeis (11-5) won its fifth straight contest thanks to Winston's fourth-inning grand slam that broke open a 3-2 game. It was his team-leading fourth round-tripper of the season. Almeida's first career circuit clout came in the sixth inning. It was a two-run job to left-center field.

Overall on the day, Winston finished with five RBI in just two at-bats. He also drew a walk and hit one of the team's four sacrifice flies – one shy of an NCAA Division III single-game record. Other offensive standouts were senior catcher Phil Aurigemma (Westborough, Mass.), who was 3-4 with two runs scored and a double, and senior SS Zach Golden (Milton, Mass.), who was 1-2 with a double, three walks, three runs scored and a steal of home on a double-steal.

Sophomore 3B Malcolm Cone-Coleman (Portland, Maine) was 2-4 with two RBI, while senior 2B Scott Kuhen (Hamilton, N.J.) was 2-2 with an RBI, run scored and a sac fly.

Fitchburg State (7-15) was paced by junior 3B Andrew Kiewlicz (Walpole, Mass.), who went 2-3 with a pair of doubles. Kiewlicz doubled and scored in the top of the first to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead, then had an RBI two-bagger in the top of the third to put FSC ahead, 2-1. Junior LF Shawn Kinney (Bennington, Vt.) was the team's only other multiple hitter, going 2-3.

On the mound, Brandeis sophomore lefty Tyler Robinson (Manotick, Ontario) tossed seven innings of six-hit ball, striking out seven and walking none to improve to 3-1 on the season. Fitchburg State rookie Dan Noel (Lowell, Mass.) threw four innings and suffered the loss to fall to 1-1.

Brandeis hosts cross-town rival Bentley College tomorrow, while Fitchburg State has a MASCAC doubleheader Saturday against Westfield State.