It’s finally here. It may not look like baseball season on Long Island, but down south there were several local Division I schools in action today. Teams got the 2017 season started across the south, from Myrtle Beach to Houston.
St. John’s dominates Western Carolina: 14-3
The Red Storm came roaring out of the gate in Myrtle Beach. A two-out single up the middle from sophomore Josh Shaw brought home two runs in the top of the first, and that was only the beginning. Shaw, 2016’s BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, also lead off the sixth inning with his third career home run. He and junior Jesse Berardi, who scored on Shaw’s single, lead St. John’s with three RBIs each.
Anthony Brocato, Troy Dixon, and Mike Antico drove in another two run apiece, Brocato went 3 for 5 with two doubles, and Dixon and Antico both had their RBIs on singles. Antico’s single came in the seventh in what was his very first collegiate at-bat. Additionally, Jamie Galazin, John Valente, and Mike Donadio all had multiple hits.
Lefty Kevin Magee had a strong outing against, Magee was perfect through three and got the win after pitching 6 innings of five-hit, three-run ball. The door was then shut by the Johnnies’ bullpen, Joe Kelly, Joe LaSorsa, and David Moyer allowed only two hits through the final three innings.
St. John’s takes on Western Carolina again tomorrow at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
Hofstra falls to Murray State: 5-1
A tough loss as Hofstra was unable to put it all together on offense in Hammond, Louisiana, today. The Pride left nine runners on base in their loss to Murray State.
Down 2-0 in the sixth Nick Bottari cut the lead in half with a leadoff home run, but the Racers put the game away right afterwards. Murray State answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Teddy Cillis and Steven Foster both had two hits, a single and a double apiece. Brad Witkowski singled, as did Vito Friscia, who also stole a base. John Rooney got the start for the Pride, he allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out five and walking two in 5 2/3 innings. Jorge Marrero threw 2 1/3 innings of one-hit relief in his first game with Hofstra.
The Pride will play Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Fordham vs. Houston Baptist University Postponed
Due to rain and lightning Fordham’s game at HBU was cancelled. They will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at noon Eastern time.
NYIT out-hits Arkansas State but loses opener: 6-0
In 5 innings pitched senior Frank Valentino struck out five batters, and surrendered only an infield single. But the right-hander ended the day with a loss, in part because four walks and two hit batters led to three runs for A-State. Head coach Bob Malvagna blamed his lack of control on nerves and adrenaline.
Valentino’s offense wasn’t much help to his cause either, Malvagna told the school’s website, “In key situations we left too many guys on base, and struck out way too much.” NYIT left ten runners on base, and struck out 15 times, they did threaten early when Frank Sanacore and Joe Fusco leadoff the game with back-to-back singles, but they couldn’t push any runs across.
Sophomore Brandon Alberto pitched in relief of Valentino, throwing two scoreless innings. Malvagna praised him, “Alberto was a big bright spot.”
This series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Stony Brook loses opener of Lake Area Classic: 18-2
Stony Brook found themselves in a hole right from the start and McNeese State Cowboys never let up. The Seawolves pitching staff did strike out eleven opposing batters, but when McNeese was making contact they were hitting them hard.
Of Stony Brook’s four hits two were by Cody Clarke, his double was the team’s only extra-base hit. The first of the Seawolves’ runs came in the second inning when Casey Baker scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Bobby Honeyman. Their second run followed in the next inning when Baker grounded out to first base and scored Andruw Gazzola.
Stony Brook will play Missouri State tomorrow at noon. Missouri State was up 9-1 on their opponent today when the game was suspended due to rain.
