BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Northampton used two outstanding pitching performances on Saturday to sweep Middlesex County College in a Region XIX doubleheader, and move to 7-1 in Region play.

In game one, Jake Ruch (3-2) went 5 innings, allowed 5 hits, 0 earned runs and struck out 8 as NCC won 17-1.

Middlesex scored their only run in the top of the first, but NCC quickly responded in the bottom of the 1st as DJ Wiliams singled, followed by a single from Richie Eilenberger, a groundout from Elliott Freeman which advanced the runners and then a sacrifice fly from Mike Tenaglia.

The floodgates opened in the bottom of the 2nd as NCC plated 5 runs behind the hitting of Greg Garcia (3 for 3, 3 runs scored), Jake Chamberlain (1 for 1, 2 runs scored, double, 3 RBI), Ellott Freeman (3 for 5, 3 RBI) and Eilenberger (2 for 2, double, 2 RBI).

NCC added 4 runs in the 3rd inning, 4 in the 4th inning and 3 in the 6th for the 17-1 victory.

In game two, Matt Smith threw a complete game 2-hit shutout, striking out 6, as NCC prevailed 3-0.

NCC got on the board in the bottom of the 1st as DJ Williams walked, Eilenberger grounded out, advancing Williams to second.  Freeman singled to score Williams, giving NCC a 1-0 lead.

In the 4th inning, Tenaglia was hit by a pitch and advances to second on a ground out by Greg Garcia.  Madison Kimball reached base on an error, advancing Tenaglia to third.  Tenaglia then scored on a fielders choice by Preston Koehler, putting NCC up 2-0.

Tenaglia then rounded out the scoring in the 4th inning when he hit a solo shot to left field (2nd of the season), providing the final 3-0 margin.

Smith (2-1), who only surrendered a single in the 1st inning and a leadoff single in the 4th, retired 12 straight to end the game, including 5 by strikeout.

NCC improves to 12-10 overall and 7-1 in Region XIX.

Middlesex falls to 14-16 overall and 8-10 in Region XIX.