More than one player referred to Opening Day as a holiday during pregame warmups.
Adelphi’s starting pitcher, TJ Santiago, had the energy of a kid on Christmas morning but his splitter acted more like the Grinch.
Photo Credit: Artist Lake Media
The senior RHP was lights out (7 IP, 9 K, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB) in Adelphi’s 5-2 win over perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. It was a tremendous match up between a member of our 2016 All-Long Island team and Frankie Moscatiello (Rocky Point ’14), who hit 92-MPH with his first pitch of the game. Both pitchers have a chance to get drafted this year.
“I was able to use all my pitches in various counts,” said the Panthers’ ace. “First game of the year is always a little more special,” he added.
The offense got off to a slow start, but in the fourth inning the Panthers broke through. Senior SS Mike Stack smacked a two-run double into right center field to open up a 2-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, they added a run on an RBI single up the middle by two-time All-Long Island first baseman Rob Vani. The Panthers opened up a 5-0 lead on a two-run single with the bases loaded by senior RF Eric Hassell.
Photo Credit: Artist Lake Media
The game appeared out of reach with Santiago dealing, but his work was done after seven innings and he gave way to freshman Mike Demarest. He struggled and allowed a two-run shot to Michael Morgan–which made things a little interesting.
Andrew Sesto (Dowling-transfer) came on and put out the fire by retiring both of his batters.
The game was called due to darkness after eight innings.
Stack went 3-for-3 and Hassell was 2-for-3.
The Panthers are scheduled to play a DH on Friday against Franklin Pierce but weather could force them to move it up to Thursday.
