Courtesy of Springfield College Sports Information

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Brian Harris went 3-for-5 for the home team, but in the end a 7-run eighth inning proved to be the difference as the visiting MIT baseball team defeated Springfield College earlier today, 11-5, in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) game at Berry-Allen Field.

With the win, the Engineers raised their record to 9-10 overall, 3-7 in the NEWMAC, while the Pride fell to 11-15 overall, and also 3-7 in the NEWMAC.

MIT used a 16-hit attack, overcoming four errors. Springfield had 12 hits, but could not string enough of them together to overcome the seven-run eighth.

Third baseman Dan Hyatt and catcher A.J. Hansbrough each went 3-for-5 for MIT. Also with two hits apiece were shortstop Bryan Macomber, second baseman Stewart Park, and first baseman Ricardo Perez.

For the hosts, leftfielder Harris was the only player to come up with three hits, knocking in three runs in the process. Centerfelder John Schmaltz and second baseman Mike Robilotto each went 2-for-4.

The win was allotted to Ryne Barry (2-0), who gave up three hits and no runs in 3 and 2/3 of relief. The loss went to Mark Grant (1-3), who gave up eight hits and four runs, all earned, in six innings in a starting role.

MIT jumped out to an immediate 1-0 lead. But SC countered with a run to tie it in the bottom of the second, then added two more in the bottom of the third. The Engineers came back with one in the top of the fourth, and then took a 4-3 lead with two in the fifth.

It remained that way until MIT piled on seven in the eighth to take a commanding 11-3 lead. SC pushed across two in the bottom of the ninth to make it a little more respectable.

Springfield will next play at Wesleyan Wednesday at 4 p.m. MIT plays again Wednesday when the Engineers host Salem State College at 3:30 p.m.