WALTHAM, Mass. - The Norwich University baseball team opened its 2021 season with a doubleheader against Lasell University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play on Friday evening.

The Lasers swept the Cadets with a 5-1 win in game one and a 5-2 final in the nightcap.

In game one, Lasell scored one run in the first, one in the fourth and three in the fifth before Norwich plated its only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning.

Senior CJ Davis (South Berwick, Maine) started on the mound for NU, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits over three innings of work. Davis struck out a career-high eight batters while allowing no walks. He falls to 0-1 on the season.

Offensively, the Cadets were paced by freshman shortstop Ryland Richardson (Windsor, Vt.). The leadoff hitter went 2-for-3 with a run scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth inning. Junior catcher Connor McGee (Wakefield, R.I.), sophomore right fielder PJ Morales (Bakersfield, Calif.) and junior third basemen Hayden Roberge (Middlesex, Vt.) all had a single apiece in game one as well. Morales also collected his first career stolen base.

Freshman Timber Russell (Randolph, Vt.) tossed an inning of scoreless relief, allowing one walk and striking out one batter in his first career appearance in Maroon & Gold.

In game two, the Cadets struck first in the top of the third inning with an RBI single by Roberge to center field that plated McGee for a 1-0 lead. Junior pitcher Tanner Raymond (Southbury, Conn.) helped his own cause, reaching on an infield error later in the inning that allowed Roberge to come around to score for a 2-0 lead.

The Lasers tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the third before plating three runs in the home half of the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. Norwich threatened in the top of the sixth as freshman first baseman Ethan Aube (Riverhead, N.Y.) sent a leadoff single to center field for his first collegiate base hit. Freshman left fielder Owen Silk (North Haven, Conn.) followed with his own career-first single to center to put two runners on with no outs. Freshman second baseman Nick Beavin (Montpelier, Vt.) reached on a fielder's choice before a double play ended the inning. Roberge led the Cadet offense with two hits.

On the mound, Raymond tossed three innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits and five walks. He struck out a career-high five batters. Freshman Matt Ingraffia (Lake Grove, N.Y.) threw three innings of relief, surrendering three runs (two earned) on four hits. He fanned seven Laser hitters while giving up just two walks in his NU debut on the mound. He took the loss to fall to 0-1 on the year.

Lasell improved to 4-8 on the season while Norwich falls to 0-2. The Cadets are next in action on Saturday, April 10th for a home doubleheader against GNAC foe Rivier University. Game times are set for noon and 2 p.m. at Garrity Field.