-Yesterday the Dowling Golden Lions and Molloy Lions both won their first-round matchup in the ECC tournament. They will meet today at noon, with the pitching matchup expected to be Tom Bammann and Shea Spitzbarth. It should present a challenge for both offenses. Dowling’s No. 2 pitcher compiled an impressive 9-1 record with a 2.26 ERA. He threw three complete games and accrued 71 innings while striking out 62 and walking only 10. Spitzbarth has a 3-2 record in nine starts with a 2.23 ERA and 72 strikeouts against 29 walks in 60 innings. He held the opposition to a .194 average.
Bammann will have an easier time navigating through a lineup that hit .260 this season, although it has been hot lately. Ron Bauer (.354 AVG, .423 OBP) and Kevin Podell (.307 AVG, .372 OBP) pose the biggest threats. Dowling, on the other hand, hit .303 as a team. They have hitters that can mash throughout the lineup. Five regulars hit over .323, with Rob Veltre just under that threshold at .299.
-Adelphi will look to upset Stonehill today at noon. They will face Stonehill’s tough southpaw Zack Soulier. He went 8-2 with a 2.24 ERA this season. He beat the Panthers on April 5th, a game in which he threw 7.2 shutout innings.
The Panthers will be trying to stop an offense that produces impressive power. Despite a .253 team average, they hit 17 home runs, 74 doubles and 18 triples. That could create big innings and a problem for the Panthers.
-Stony Brook will look to stay hot as they begin a double header against UMBC in Baltimore. They have won 23 of their last 30 games and are looking to finish strong with only six regular season games left.
-Hofstra will host the College of Charleston in a weekend series beginning today at 3. The Pride are 18-21 overall, and 6-9 within the CAA.
-NYIT will conclude their season with a double header tomorrow and Sunday.
-Farmingdale will take on Kean tomorrow in a non-conference tune up game for the regionals.
