BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The 5th ranked Northampton baseball team opened the 2021 campaign on Sunday afternoon, dropping a doubleheader to Northern Essex Community College (MA), 11-6 in game one and 3-2 in game two. 

GAME ONE - Lost 11-6
In game one, Northern Essex pounded out 13 hits, including 6 homeruns, as they downed the Spartans 11-6.  Hunter Johns (Ephrata, PA/Ephrata) took the loss for Northampton, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 2 in 2 innings of work.  Jordan Livingston (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) and Colby Butczynski (Nanticoke, PA/Greater Nanticoke Area) came on in relief, combining for 6 strikeouts, while allowing 5 runs over the final 5 innings of action.

Collin Jensen (Garnet Valley, PA/Archmere Academy (DE)) led the offense with a 2 for 4 performance, while Sean Granaham and Jacob Yurkovitch (Pen Argyl, PA/Notre Dame - Green Pond) combined for 2 hits and 3 RBI off the bench.  Northern Essex finished with 11 runs on 13 hits, while the Spartans managed 6 runs on 6 hits. 

GAME TWO - Lost 3-2
The Spartans jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Isaiah Lockette (Steelton, PA/Steelton-Highspire) singled and then stole second, before scoring on a single from Collin Jensen (Garnet Valley, PA/Archmere Academy (DE)).  Northern Essex tied the game game in the top of the 3rd and took the lead in the 4th with their second unearned run of the contest. 

Northern Essex took took a 3-1 lead with their third unearned run in the top of 6th, before Northampton added a run in the bottom half of the inning, with Jensen once again driving in Lockette, to make it 3-2 Knights. 

Levi Burrill closed the door on the Spartans in the bottom of the 7th to earn the complete game victory for Northern Esesx, finishing with 11 strikeouts and no walks. 

Evan Zwolenik (Northampton, PA/Northampton) took the loss for Northampton, despite not allowing any earned runs.  Zwolenik struck out 4 and only allowed 5 hits before giving way to Patrick Flynn (Easton, PA/Notre Dame - Green Pond), who pitched the 7th. 

Jensen and Lockette were both 2 for 3, with Jensen picking up 2 RBI to lead the offense. 

The Spartans (0-2 overall) return to action on Monday when they will host Northern Essex again, with game one of the doubleheader set for 11am.