Groton – Dan Hoy prefers to hit with runners on base.

Opposing pitchers would rather not see Mystic's top run producer coming to the plate in any situation.

"I've always loved hitting with guys on base," Hoy said. "It's more of an incentive to get the barrel on the ball. ... My heart gets pumping a little bit faster, my blood starts flowing a little quicker."

Hoy, who plays at Princeton, delivered the biggest hit – a three-run double with the bases loaded – in a 10-run fourth inning, helping the Schooners beat New Bedford, 14-5, in the first game of a New England Collegiate Baseball League Southern Division best of three play-off series at Fitch High School on Monday night.

In many ways, it was a typical Mystic victory.

The Schooners rallied from a 3-0 deficit, relying on timely hitting and another stellar pitching performance from its bullpen.

"We've been doing that all year," Hoy said. "We call it a Schooners win when we come from behind."

Hoy, who came into the game ranked second in the NECBL with 32 RBI, sparked the comeback with a two-run triple in a four-run third inning. Ben Ruta had an RBI single and Lou Iannotti, the NECBL's Player of the Week, added a sacrifice fly to hand Mystic a 4-3 edge.

Mystic starter Willie Rios struggled with his command, walking the first two batters in the fourth. Connor Lind, who belted a two-run home run in his first at-bat, hit an RBI single that tied the score and chased Rios, a former St. Bernard School standout.

Reliever Joe Rivera (UConn) ended the threat by striking out Anthony Critelli with two runners on. It was the game's biggest out. He earned the win, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings and allowing two hits while striking out six.

"Rivera is probably the player of the game tonight," manager Phil Orbe said. "He was phenomenal. He has grown so much this summer."

Mystic sent 15 batters to the plate during the fourth-inning outburst, pounding out six hits and taking advantage of three walks and two errors.

The inning started with Jesse Berardi's double, John Brucker's single and Derek Jenkins' RBI single that put the Schooners in front for good. Ruta drew a bases loaded walk and Richard Slenker's RBI hit-by-pitch pushed the lead to 7-4.

Still, with nobody out, Hoy walked to the plate. With the bases loaded, he's batting around .667 and has two grand slams, according to Orbe.

Hoy ripped a one-hopper off the left field fence, scoring all three runners and breaking the game open. He finished with three hits and five RBI. Nick Mascelli's two-run double made it 14-4.

The game was essentially over, as New Bedford went down quietly against three relievers.

Eight different Schooners combined for 13 hits. Six players drove in runs, including two apiece by Mascelli, Ruta and Iannotti.

The series continues with game two in New Bedford on Tuesday. UConn righthander Sam Nepiarsky (3-2, 2.27) will start for the Schooners, who have the NECBL's top pitching staff.

"He's been very good for us," Orbe said. "We feel good about the matchup. We feel good about any matchup the way our guys have been pitching. It's just a matter of executing and if the baseball gods are with us."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter:@gavinKeefe