Old Westbury and Lasell State combined for 40 runs in their first game at the Gene Cusic Colligate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. Westbury pulled out a decisive win in an explosive game yesterday, defeating Lasell 24-16, failing two score at least a run in only two innings.
24 runs on 23 hits, including three home runs for the Panthers’ offense, as they kicked off this week of games with a major bang. David Hawley, Tommy Ziegen, and Paul Rapoli all went deep. Rapoli was two for five with three RBIs and three runs scored, his two-run shot in the second inning were Westbury’s first runs, and tied the game.
Ziegen’s solo homer in the fourth inning gave Westbury a 8-7 lead, their first of the day. He contributed a lot than just that though, going four for six on the day with four RBIs, four runs scored, and two stolen bases. Hawley’s two-run homer was a part of an eight run seventh inning, Hawley finished with three hits, two RBIs, three runs scored, and two stolen bases in seven at bats.
Every one of Westbury’s started recored at least a hit, a run, and an RBI. Ziegen and leadoff hitter Jesse Russo lead the Panthers with four hits each, Russo also lead the way with four RBIs, four runs, and two stolen bases, to go with his two triples.
Catcher Carlos Balmaceda had three hits, RBIs, and runs in his four at bats, crushing two doubles. First baseman Dean Sheridan and DH Gianni Carbone both had two hits each, Sheridan drove in four and scored once, and Carbone scored twice and drove in one.
Trey Pizzutello earned the win out of the bullpen for his work in innings 5, 6, and 7. Of the 16 runs scored by Lasell scored six were unearned. Giving up ten runs certainly isn’t ideal, but it is less alarming than surrendering sixteen. There’s also a bit more room for errors when the offense is scores two dozen runs.
Old Westbury will continue their week in Florida with a doubleheader against the University of Scranton, first pitch is at 9 A.M.
