Jutras keys victory over Utica as Trailblazers end spring trip

Auburndale, FL- The MCLA baseball team got a huge boost from Robert Jutras out of the bullpen as they rallied from an early deficit to defeat Utica College 6-4 this afternoon at Lake Myrtle complex.  With the win, the Trailblazers end their spring trip at 3-6 while the Pioneers are now 0-8.

Jutras, who was yesterday's game two starter, entered the game in the top of the fourth inning with UC on top 3-0.  He would toss the next 4.1 innings yielding just four hits and an unearned run in the 8th inning.  While Jutras was shutting down the Pioneers, the offense was just waking up.

MCLA scored three times in the bottom of the fourth when Joe Dimassimo tripled to right driving in a pair of runs.  He would then come in to score on a Pioneer balk tying the game at 3-3.

The Trailblazers would strike for three more runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for keeps.  Nate Gutmann singled and was sacrificed to second base to begin the frame.  Ryan Shook singled and Gutmann would score on an infield error off the bat of Bill Pulasky.  MCLA would add a pair of unearned runs to take a 6-3 lead after five innings.

Jutras cruised into the 8th inning before Utica scratched a run across.  Consecutive singles to start the inning put runners at first and second.  An error allowed a run to score, but MCLA got a key out when a Pioneer tried to take an extra base after a throwing error.  Slayter Aubin was then summoned out of the bullpen for Jutras and quickly got out of the inning with a fly out to right.

Aubin would then get the first out of the ninth before Eamonn Andre came in to collect the save.  He promptly recorded a lineout and fly out to preserve the win.

Both teams were sloppy as there were ten errors in the contest.

Brett Labonte had a pair of hits to lead MCLA.  The Trailblazers had 7 hits in the game.

MCLA will be back in action on Tuesday when they open the northern slate at Lasell.