Baseball Loses to Mitchell in 2026 GNAC Pod A Final

NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Elms College Baseball team traveled to No. 1 Mitchell College in the Pod A Final of the 2026 GNAC Baseball Tournament on Sunday morning.

BASICS
Score: No. 8 Elms College 0 | No. 1 Mitchell College 12
Records: Blazers 15-23, 7-13 (GNAC) | Mariners 27-12, 16-4 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the top of the first inning, senior outfielder/pitcher Nason Busca (Windsor, Conn.) would hit a single to right field, but the Elms offense would not be able to score an early run in the inning. Junior infielder/pitcher Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.) would step on to the pitcher's mound to start the day for the Blazers. Unfortunately during the bottom half of the inning, Mitchell would score four runs to take an early 4-0 lead, but the Elms defense would end the inning on a throw from left center field, when senior outfielder Noah Scanlon-Dean (Hadley, Mass.) would throw out at third base as a runner trying to stretch a double into a triple, with junior infielder Manny Essley (Duxbury, Mass.) would apply the tag. Sophomore infielder Liam Pond (Holyoke, Mass.) would start the second inning with a hit by a pitch, followed by a single to second base by first year infielder Colin Faber (Suffield, Conn.), but the Mariners would continue to maintain their lead over the Blazers. Ciaglo would start the bottom of the second inning with a swinging strikeout and the Elms defense would collect the remaining outs to give Mitchell a scoreless inning. In the top of the third inning, first year infielder Aidan Daugherty (Southwick, Mass.) would start with a single through the left side of the infield, followed by first year outfielder Raynel Rodriguez (San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) and Busca reaching base on back-to-back fielder's choices, but the Blazers would not be able to score. The two conference opponents would both be held scoreless in their next offensive attempts. Then in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Mariners would add a run, but the Elms defense would be able to get out of the jam and record the three outs. In the top of the fifth inning, Daugherty would hit a two out single up the middle after battling in a ten-pitch at-bat, but the Blazers would once again not be able to score in the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, with a runner on base, Faber would make a diving stop and would get the out at first base, as the Elms defense would keep Mitchell from extending their lead. In the top of the sixth inning, first year catcher Eliam Martinez (Dominican Republic) would hit a one out stand-up triple to center field, but the Mariners defense would record the two outs to end the inning. The Mitchell offense would score four runs in the bottom of the sixth to bring the score to 9-0. Then in the top of the seventh, Faber would hit a double to right field and would advance to third base moments later. Daugherty would earn a walk and Rodriguez would make a bunt single to load the bases. However, the Elms offense would continue to not capitalize and be held to another scoreless inning. Mitchell would score three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Blazers defense would see Essley throw a runner out at the plate early in the inning. In the eighth inning, sophomore pitcher/infielder Brycen Diaz (Andrews, Texas) would earn a walk, sophomore catcher/pitcher Alex Baeta (Bellingham, Mass.) would relieve Ciaglo on the mound, and Essley would field a ground ball, tag third base, and throw the ball across the diamond to Pond for the double play to end the inning. The Elms offense would look to create a late rally in the top of the ninth inning, but the Mariners would record the three final outs to defeat the Blazers in the semifinal matchup.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Ciaglo: would pitch seven innings, with a strikeout and three scoreless innings.

• Baeta: would pitch a scoreless inning.

• Faber: two hits, with a double.

• Daugherty: two hits and a walk

• Martinez: a hit, with a triple.

• Busca: a hit.

• Rodriguez: a hit

• Pond: would be involved in a double play in the field.

• Essley: would be involved in a double play in the field.

• B.Diaz: a walk.

UP NEXT: The Elms Baseball team have concluded their 2026 season, after going 2-2 in the GNAC Tournament, and look forward to competing again next season.

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