STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Brad Hipsley became the latest hero of the Stony Brook baseball team's homestand surge.

Hipsley delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the fifth inning and the Seawolves defeated Merrimack, 4-2, on Wednesday at Joe Nathan Field.

Kyle Johnson earned his first collegiate win with three perfect innings in relief of starter Brian Morrisey.

Adam Erickson and Eric Foster followed with two scoreless relief innings apiece.

Erickson did not surrender a hit.

Foster earned his first collegiate save with Brandon Bonanno unavailable after having logged two innings the previous day against Iona.

"It felt awesome," Johnson said. "I had a two-pitch mix, stayed down in the zone and let my defense work."

Said Hipsley: "The bullpen guys did a great job today."

The Seawolves won four of five games on their homestand after three consecutive weekends playing in the South.

In the three-run fifth, Derek Yalon began the frame with a bunt single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Cristian Montes then singled to place runners on the corners. Yalon scored on an error to pull the Seawolves within 2-1. And Hipsley, a sophomore from Saratoga Springs, ultimately delivered a two-out, two-run double to left-center for the lead.

"I was just looking for something up, something to drive," Hipsley said. "I wanted it to stay over the shortstop's head. I put a good swing on it and helped the team out." 

It marked the first ever meeting between the programs. Merrimack (6-9) rose from Division II to Division I for this season.

Stony Brook (6-9) now prepares to begin America East play with a doubleheader Saturday at Hartford.

"It was huge homestand for us," Hipsley said. "I think we have a lot of confidence going into the weekend against Hartford. We're really excited to start conference play. And I think we're going to do a great job."