Northeastern: Sapienza gets Husky fever in one year
Matt Sapienza lost two injury-plagued seasons over four years at Georgetown University – breaking his elbow and having Tommy John surgery – and his Hoyas finished 16-40 last spring.
With two years eligibility remaining it opened up an opportunity: one, to play closer to home and, two, to play in late May.
The former Phillips Andover star, from North Andover, chose Northeastern.
“I came here to win,” said Sapienza, referring to the incredible four-year run of three NCAA tourney appearances.
Sapienza got a chance to contribute in the final game, the first reliever out of the pen in the sixth inning. It wasn’t perfect – walk, strikeout, sac bunt and walk – but the Huskies got out of it unscathed.
That opportunity for the 38-20 Huskies was exactly the reason he transferred.
“It wasn’t my best, but I got a couple of outs and Tom Mahoney got us out of it,” said Sapienza. “It felt good to contribute a little bit and help us win. This team is a lot of fun to be around.”
Bentley: Lawrence continues family tradition
Dylan Lawrence knows about championships. His brother A.J., who just graduated from Endicott College, won four of them – Conference of New England (CNE) – and played in four NCAA Div. 3 tournaments.
He was there for all of them.
Well, now it’s his turn, as a freshman pitcher for Bentley University, which won its first-ever Northeast-10 Tournament championship followed by an NCAA Div. 2 Region and Super-Regional.
Hence, they are, 45-15, in Cary, N.C., for the NCAA Div. 2 World Series.
The 5-foot-7 lefty made 12 appearances out of the Bentley bullpen, throwing 29 innings with a 6.21 ERA. That’s a lot of work for a freshman.
“I’ve learned so much here, the commitment it takes at this level,” said Lawrence. “It started last fall. This program has a great culture that started winning last year (33-15). To see this happen as a freshman has been so much fun.”
While Lawrence, a finance major, hasn’t pitched since the end of April, he is prepared if called upon.
“It feels good to know I’ve helped contribute to the team,” said Lawrence, whose brother has already started his graduate work at the University of Utah. “We are on a roll right now. We have our work cut out for us. We can’t wait.”
Endicott: Pappalardo healthy again
Matt Pappalardo’s year was supposed to be last year, as a sophomore pitcher for Endicott College.
But in his first appearance, he had severe elbow pain. A month later he had Tommy John surgery.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that a year later, to the day, he returned to the Endicott mound and his year, with a few ups and downs, took off.
In 16 appearances this spring, the Methuen native had 11 starts, going 6-2 with 2.71 ERA over 63 innings, striking out 67.
Pappalardo got the win in the Div. 3 Regionals, going five innings allowing two runs and five hits in the 6-5 win over Montclair State.
“It took a lot of work to get back to where I needed to be,” said the 6-foot-2 right-hander who starred on Methuen High’s Final Four run in the spring of 2023.
“I’m trying to throw as much as possible in whatever role this team needs from me,” he said.
Endicott, 40-11, is in its fifth straight NCAA Tournament and fourth straight Div. 3 World Series in Eastlake, Ohio. A year ago, the Gulls finished 45-6, losing in the national semis.
“Our culture is unmatched, unlike anything I’ve been a part of,” said Pappalardo. “Our season starts in late August when we begin fall ball. We emphasize conditioning, double sessions, weightroom work, etc. It helps us get to where we need to be in May and June.”
Pappalardo has some local company on the team.
Sophomore outfielder Paul Armstrong of Windham, N.H. and freshman infielder Shea LaFleur of Salem, N.H., via Avon Old Farms have been contributors to the Gulls’ cause.
Armstrong hit .410 over 61 at bats, striking out only six times while LaFleur hit .300 over 50 at bats with his first collegiate home run.