There were six combined wins for the nine teams that were in action yesterday. As the season enters it’s second weekend it appears several teams that were struggling are starting to get their bearings, and have begun playing quite well. We’ll see if this holds up, but there are some promising signs showing all over.
Division I
Four-Run Eighth Carry’s Hofstra: 4-2
It’s back-to-back wins for the Pride after holding off a late rally from the Southern Louisiana Jaguars.
In his first start in a Hofstra uniform Jorge Marrero pitched seven scoreless innings, during which he only surrendered five hits while striking out seven. Michael James then kept the game in check and went on to earn his first career save, striking out the side in the ninth.
Stranding only three runners as opposed to the Jaguar’s nine, Hofstra was able to make the most of their opportunities. The Pride took advantage of their opponent’s mistakes in the eighth inning loading the bases. That’s when the hot-hitting Nick Bottari decided to clear them with a double, his sixth hit in nine at bats, and fifth RBI in two games. Bottari was two for four, as was shortstop Mikey Riesner who doubled and scored a run.
Hofstra hopes to keep up their winning ways against Grambling State University in their final game at the Mardi Gras Invitational.
NYIT Wins Home Opener on Walk-Off Walk: 4-3
NYIT welcomed Sacred Heart for their first home game, and their first win of the year. It was an exciting one, in the final two innings the Bears erased a 3-0 deficit to win on a walk-off walk by pinch hitter Jeffery Tabares. After the game Tabares told his school’s website, “I’m just looking to get my pitch, and he didn’t give it to me, so he walked me.”
A two-run double by Jake Lebel got NYIT on the board in the sixth to start the scoring. Frank Sanacore returned to the line up for his first game since hurting his hand in the Bears’ opener, he tied the game in the seventh with an RBI single, helping to set the stage for Tabares. Timothy Milligan threw two scoreless innings in relief to earn his first win at NYIT.
Game two of the Bear’s doubleheader was suspended in the ninth inning due to darkness with NYIT down 6-0. That game will resume before the regularly scheduled game between NYIT and Sacred Heart at 10:30 A.M.
St. John’s Stays Undefeated with Win vs. Kansas State: 9-2
A two-run first inning is all Kansas State could muster against a 5-0 St. John’s. The Johnnies went on to shut out Kansas State (who had just beaten No. 4 South Carolina) for eight innings, while putting up nine unanswered runs.
Starter Kevin Magee moved to 2-0 on the season, after giving up one earned run on three hits in the first, Magee threw 5 1/3 innings of one-hit ball. Sean Mooney and Joe LaSorsa threw a combined 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to end the game.
On offense, Jesse Berardi did damage with a two-run homer in the eighth. Berardi was two for four on the day, as was Troy Dixon who ripped a pair of RBI singles in the fourth and seventh innings. Anthony Brocato joined the fun going three for four with an RBI, Brocato also ended the game by robbing Kansas State’s Grant Reuben of a three-run home run at the wall. First baseman John Valente also extended his hitting streak to 17 games, dating back to last season.
The Red Storm looks to stay undefeated when they play UMBC today at 6 P.M.
Stony Brook Loses on Walk-Off: 7-6
After coming from behind to tie the game in the seventh, the Seawolves fall after an error in the bottom of the ninth allows Presbyterian to score the game-winning run.
Stony Brook held a 5-2 lead after five and a half innings, but a four-run sixth put Presbyterian in the driver’s seat. The Wolves did come back to tie it in the seventh on a Michael Wilson single, but that was it for them. Brandon Janofsky led the team with three hits and two RBIs, while Casey Baker and Bobby Honeyman each had two hits.
Head coach Matt Senk told his school’s website, “Anytime you’re in a close game, doing the little things often decide if you win or lose. That’s unfortunately what happened today.”
Stony Brook will continue their series with Presbyterian today at 2 P.M.
Fordham Loses West Coast Opener: 6-0
The Rams were shut out in their series opener against Long Beach State. Fordham was out hit five to eight in the loss, Justin Bardwell was their only player with multiple hits.
Fordham will hope to turn the tide of the series in game two this afternoon.
Division II
Grand Slam Lifts LIU Post Over Felician: 9-5
Post was down 5-3 when Anthony Vaglica stepped the the plate in the seventh with the bases loaded. That was when he drove the ball out of left for a grand slam, putting Post up 7-5, and winning their second straight game.
Vaglica had one of the team’s two multi-hit days, the other belonging to Rob Andreoli, who was two for five, scored twice and drove in one. Thomas Asbaty had Post’s first RBI on a sacrifice fly in the third inning, he also walked twice and scored a run.
Senior Chris Anderson earned the win, and Robert Paccione got the save, closing the game out with three shout-out innings.
Post is back in action today with a doubleheader versus Merrimack College and Southern Connecticut State University.
Queens College Splits Doubleheader: 6-5 & 5-3
Game one nearly featured a miraculous comeback against one of Division II’s top teams, Franklin Pierce, but they were able to get the best of them in game two. A three-run triple from freshman Louis Antos made it a one-run game in the bottom of the ninth, but that’s where the comeback stopped for Queens.
Robert Amato earned his first win of the year in game two, and Rob Backus earned the save, with two no-hit innings to close the game. RBI singles from Kevin Kolesar and Johnathan Temenak started Queens’ scoring in the third inning. Next inning senior Ryan Bender and Kolesar had another pair of RBI singles to put them up 5-1. The twelfth ranked Pierce threatened with two in the fifth but it wouldn’t be enough and Queens would hold on.
Queens College will continue their Myrtle Beach trip when the face off with No. 6 Southern New Hampshire University today.
Molloy Falls to a Wilmington Comeback: 6-3
The Lions had jumped ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Wilmington wasn’t ready to lay down, scoring five runs in the final two innings.
Shortstop Brian Murphy led the way going two for five at the plate with a pair of RBI singles and a stolen base. Senior Kevin Podell drove in Molloy’s third run on a seventh inning single.
Starter Ronald Bauer was outstanding through seven allowing earned one run on four hits while striking out five, although he was left with a no decision.
Molloy hopes to get their first win of the year when they play Felician this morning.
Division III
Late Rally Wins it for Westbury: 5-4
Old Westbury handed Kean University their first loss of the season with a two-run ninth. Down 4-3 after eight Paul Rapoli tied the game with two outs on an RBI single, following a wild pitch Rapoli then came around to score the game-winning run on a single by Carlos Balmaceda.
The first run of the game came in the top of the first when Tommy Ziegen got things started with a RBI single through the left side. A wild pitch from Kean’s started then allowed Ziegen and David Hawley to score.
Starter Daniel Aguilo was given the no decision for his 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball. Trey Pizzutello got the win for ending the game with two innings of shutout two-hit pitching.
Westbury squares off with the Baruch Bearcats in Brooklyn for a doubleheader today.
