By Max Lederman

BROOKLINE – After winning 12 of their last 15 games, including a four game weekend sweep of the Pace Setters, the Northeastern baseball team (19-21, 8-10) suffered two devastating loses at the hands of first place Vermont, (6-3) and (3-1).

For a Husky team two wins away from clinching a spot in the America East tournament (19-21, 8-10 AE), the losses seemed a bit more personal.

“We all hate Vermont,” said Chris Emanuele. “But they are a good team, and we know we are going to have to face them in the tournament.”

After playing as close to perfect as a college team possibly can over the weekend, the Huskies just couldn’t muster enough runs to steal a win from the Catamounts (30-10, 15-3).

Both NU starters went the distance on Tuesday, but both were hit with losses.

“This is baseball, and we know we can’t play well all the time,” added Emanuele. “We just have to bounce back Thursday, and then try to get all four over the weekend.”

Sweeping a weekend series can be done, as the Huskies proved last weekend with a four game sweep of visiting Pace.

Whereas both of Friday’s games were uncontested NU blowouts, Sunday’s doubleheader displayed the team’s ability to fight back from early defecits, as both wins were of the come from behind fashion.

“It definitely shows the character of this team,” said Husky skipper Neil McPhee. “When you’ve got talented young players who are starting to believe in their talent, it becomes a circle of motivation and a confidence builder.”

In game two of Sundays doubleheader the Huskies coughed up two runs in the top of the second to go down 2-0 but tied it up in the bottom of the inning with a two RBI single by Paul Koswolski that scored Tim Bush and Arman Sidhu.

NU broke the tie with a four run fourth inning with RBI from Brad Czarnowski, Mike Steinberg and Koswolski.

Koswolski, the reigning America East co-player of the week, left the game after dislocating his shoulder while sliding into second base in a successful steal attempt. The loss of Koswolski, who is second on the team with 21 RBI, will impact the Huskies lineup.

“One of the strengths of this team is that we have back ups who can step in and produce,” McPhee said.

Koswolski was batting .330 before suffering the season ending injury.

“He’s a great all around player, and it’s going to be tough,” Emanuele said. “Luckily we have guys that can step in and be successful.”

The most exciting game of the weekend, and arguably one of the best that the Huskies have played all year came in game one of Sunday’s doubleheader.

The Huskies clawed back from a 6-1 deficit with a marathon fourth inning in which they scored eight runs.

Before NU’s breakout inning they first had to deal with another Pace surge in the top of the fourth. With runners in scoring position and only one down, the Dogs got a tremendous diving catch from center fielder Chris Emanuele.

However, Pace wasn’t done. After a double steal that moved two runners into scoring position at second and third, Pace’s fifth batter of the inning smacked a hard grounder up the middle that was played amazingly by freshman shortsstop Arman Sidhu for the third out.

The bottom of the fourth is when NU got to work, with Jeff Heriot starting things off by showing off his hustle with an infield single. Sidhu then doubled to right center to score Heriot. Following a Miguel Paquette pop out that advanced Sidhu to third, Brain Nutting blasted an RBI single to bring the Huskies within three of the Setters. A Steinberg walk followed by four consecutive RBI yielding at bats, including an Omar Pena 2-run jack to deep center, gave the huskies a 9-6 lead and all the runs they would need.

“Omar hit the longest ball that we have seen yet at our new field,” said McPhee of Pena’s shot.

Koswolski, who pitched all but one inning, picked up the 11-7 win for NU.

Emanuele went 3-for-4 including a 2-run homer, and three RBI.

Friday’s doubleheader against Pace might as well have been batting practice for the Huskies. NU outscored the Setters 18-1 in the first two games of the four game weekend series at Freidman Diamond.

In game one Junior Justin Hedrick struck out 11 Setters while giving up just two hits on his way to a complete-game gem. Jeff Heriot (four RBIs, two runs), Tim Bush (two RBI, two runs) and Omar Pena (two RBI) all went 3-for-4 for the Dogs. Heriot and Koslowski both hit home runs in the 10-1 victory.

In game two, Brendan Ryan continued to pitch like a man on a mission, going the distance and earning his third straight victory, 8-0. Ryan’s last loss came April 19 against Maine, when he was charged with nine runs in just two innings of work.

Since then, Ryan has been marvelous giving up just two earned runs in his last 21 innings, throwing three straight complete games, including a pair of shutouts. Against Pace on Friday, Ryan did not let a runner advance past second base, while the Huskies defense had his back turning three double plays. “Brendan is a terrific leader,” said McPhee. “He’s showing it on the field and the team is responding.”

The Huskies continue play Thursday at Freidman Diamond where they will host Centenary at 3:30 p.m.BROOKLINE – After winning 12 of their last 15 games, including a four game weekend sweep of the Pace Setters, the Northeastern baseball team (19-21, 8-10) suffered two devastating loses at the hands of first place Vermont, (6-3) and (3-1).

For a Husky team two wins away from clinching a spot in the America East tournament (19-21, 8-10 AE), the losses seemed a bit more personal.

“We all hate Vermont,” said Chris Emanuele. “But they are a good team, and we know we are going to have to face them in the tournament.”

After playing as close to perfect as a college team possibly can over the weekend, the Huskies just couldn’t muster enough runs to steal a win from the Catamounts (30-10, 15-3).

Both NU starters went the distance on Tuesday, but both were hit with losses.

“This is baseball, and we know we can’t play well all the time,” added Emanuele. “We just have to bounce back Thursday, and then try to get all four over the weekend.”

Sweeping a weekend series can be done, as the Huskies proved last weekend with a four game sweep of visiting Pace.

Whereas both of Friday’s games were uncontested NU blowouts, Sunday’s doubleheader displayed the team’s ability to fight back from early defecits, as both wins were of the come from behind fashion.

“It definitely shows the character of this team,” said Husky skipper Neil McPhee. “When you’ve got talented young players who are starting to believe in their talent, it becomes a circle of motivation and a confidence builder.”

In game two of Sundays doubleheader the Huskies coughed up two runs in the top of the second to go down 2-0 but tied it up in the bottom of the inning with a two RBI single by Paul Koswolski that scored Tim Bush and Arman Sidhu.

NU broke the tie with a four run fourth inning with RBI from Brad Czarnowski, Mike Steinberg and Koswolski.

Koswolski, the reigning America East co-player of the week, left the game after dislocating his shoulder while sliding into second base in a successful steal attempt. The loss of Koswolski, who is second on the team with 21 RBI, will impact the Huskies lineup.

“One of the strengths of this team is that we have back ups who can step in and produce,” McPhee said.

Koswolski was batting .330 before suffering the season ending injury.

“He’s a great all around player, and it’s going to be tough,” Emanuele said. “Luckily we have guys that can step in and be successful.”

The most exciting game of the weekend, and arguably one of the best that the Huskies have played all year came in game one of Sunday’s doubleheader.

The Huskies clawed back from a 6-1 deficit with a marathon fourth inning in which they scored eight runs.

Before NU’s breakout inning they first had to deal with another Pace surge in the top of the fourth. With runners in scoring position and only one down, the Dogs got a tremendous diving catch from center fielder Chris Emanuele.

However, Pace wasn’t done. After a double steal that moved two runners into scoring position at second and third, Pace’s fifth batter of the inning smacked a hard grounder up the middle that was played amazingly by freshman shortsstop Arman Sidhu for the third out.

The bottom of the fourth is when NU got to work, with Jeff Heriot starting things off by showing off his hustle with an infield single. Sidhu then doubled to right center to score Heriot. Following a Miguel Paquette pop out that advanced Sidhu to third, Brain Nutting blasted an RBI single to bring the Huskies within three of the Setters. A Steinberg walk followed by four consecutive RBI yielding at bats, including an Omar Pena 2-run jack to deep center, gave the huskies a 9-6 lead and all the runs they would need.

“Omar hit the longest ball that we have seen yet at our new field,” said McPhee of Pena’s shot.

Koswolski, who pitched all but one inning, picked up the 11-7 win for NU.

Emanuele went 3-for-4 including a 2-run homer, and three RBI.

Friday’s doubleheader against Pace might as well have been batting practice for the Huskies. NU outscored the Setters 18-1 in the first two games of the four game weekend series at Freidman Diamond.

In game one Junior Justin Hedrick struck out 11 Setters while giving up just two hits on his way to a complete-game gem. Jeff Heriot (four RBIs, two runs), Tim Bush (two RBI, two runs) and Omar Pena (two RBI) all went 3-for-4 for the Dogs. Heriot and Koslowski both hit home runs in the 10-1 victory.

In game two, Brendan Ryan continued to pitch like a man on a mission, going the distance and earning his third straight victory, 8-0. Ryan’s last loss came April 19 against Maine, when he was charged with nine runs in just two innings of work.

Since then, Ryan has been marvelous giving up just two earned runs in his last 21 innings, throwing three straight complete games, including a pair of shutouts. Against Pace on Friday, Ryan did not let a runner advance past second base, while the Huskies defense had his back turning three double plays. “Brendan is a terrific leader,” said McPhee. “He’s showing it on the field and the team is responding.”

The Huskies continue play Thursday at Freidman Diamond where they will host Centenary at 3:30 p.m.