by Vinny Messana
After starting the season 0-6, many had written off the 2016 season as a rebuilding year for the Farmingdale State Rams. Just don’t tell that to the players who have won 9 of 11 and just finished off a well-earned series sweep of rival Old Westbury.
It was an afternoon of tremendous pitching performances, but it was the youthful Rams who came out on top both games.
In Game One, the Old Westbury Panthers took an early 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Tommy Zeigen.
The Rams tied it up in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Brandon Ernest.
After that, Rams’ starting pitcher, Matt Seelinger settled down and dominated.
He began mowing throw the Panthers’ lineup allowing only six hits, walking two and striking out nine. Seelinger was pumping high 80s fastballs to go along with a deadly 12-6 curveball. When he throws strikes, he is among the best pitchers in the conference, but had struggled with his command at times. Today he was at his best, but he did have one huge jam to navigate out of in the sixth inning.
After Jesse Russo led off with a single, Joey Walsh moved him to second with a well-executed sac bunt. He intentionally walked the dangerous Tommy Zeigen to set up a force. Dean Sheridan hit an infield single to load the bases which brought Head Coach Keith Osik to the mound to talk strategy.
“It doesn’t really phase me when runners get on,” said Seelinger. “I know to take a breath and calm down. I was glad Coach Osik came out to the mound to give me a breather and tell me to settle in. He showed confidence in me, so I showed confidence back into him,” he added.
Danny Aguilo was great again–but was tagged with the tough luck L (Photo Credit: Vinny Messana)
He induced an infield fly by Kevin Lao and struck out Paul Rapoli to end the threat.
In the bottom of the sixth, his offense got him the lead when Brandon Ernest singled and stole second base. Their biggest threat, Dalton McCarthy smacked a line drive over Russo’s head in left to tie up the game. Unfortunately, McCarthy had to stop at first after suffering a hamstring injury–a truly disappointing moment for everyone.
Seelinger cruised through the seventh inning, eighth and ninth innings and retired the side in order all three innings finishing off the 2-1 victory.
In the second game, the match up was Kevin Martinez for the Rams against Danny Aguilo of the Panthers.
Aguilo had entered with a team-leading five wins and was facing a lineup sans McCarthy, a significant advantage for the Panthers.
Neither team could mount any offense, though.
The game was flying along as each pitcher continuously set the side down in order.
In the top of the seventh, the Panthers had their best chance to score. Rapoli reached on an error by the SS, and he advanced on a sac bunt by Daniel Svenelid. With two outs, Carlos Balmaceda ripped one down the third base line but Anthony Gigante made a great backhanded stab and threw him out by an eyelash at first base.
In the bottom of the seventh, with Aguilo still on the mound due to a very low pitch count, Domenic Palumbo lined a two-out single to center field. He advanced to second on a passed ball.
Pinch-hitter Ryan Gaffney smoked one to center field which seemed to be in the air forever, but CF Kevin Lao just barely missed making an incredible over-the-shoulder play. It landed on the warning track the Rams completed the improbable sweep.
“I know the rivalry,” said Seelinger. “We beat them my freshman year and last year we lost to them, so you know year-after-year it’s going to be us against them.”
With the victory, the Rams improve to 13-12 while the Panthers fall to 19-12.
