Maritime Sweeps Old Westbury In Thrilling Conference DH

What a thrilling match up it was at the Jackie Robinson Sports Complex at SUNY Old Westbury.

Maritime was able to manifest two victories in the DH against Skyline Conference foe Old Westbury on Sunday improving their conference record to 4-0. With both clubs sitting atop the Skyline Conference, it was sure to be a well-played couple of games. Both teams continued to show positive signs, but Maritime emerged as the victors this go round. Old Westbury displayed some solid offense on the day, but the defense is what plagued them–posting eight errors in total between the two games ultimately leading to their defeat.

Mike Trout photographed for BodyArmor sports drink by Monte Isom

The first game was an offensive showcase especially for the visiting Privateers in their 10-4 win. They posted ten runs on 15 hits–but the game was a pitcher’s duel early with the game being tied at one apiece after five innings. Once the sixth inning hit, it was time for Maritime to start doing damage. They plated four in the sixth due to a walk to Aaron Schiavoni followed by a pair of hits from Phil Russo and Connor Alwan. The top of the order continued to do damage in the seventh and eighth inning adding five more runs in those two frames. Brian McLaughlin ripped two doubles driving in four runs while Schiavoni drove in a run as well with a single in the seventh. Matt Costleigh, Chris Deddo, Stephen Semler, and Zach Parilla also had hits in the game.

The Old Westbury offense played well in game one, producing four runs on ten hits off of one of the conference’s best arms, Travis Bruinsma.

Jesse Russo, Tommy Ziegen, and Kevin Lao put together multi-hit days having two hits apiece. Louis Sileno, Dean Sheridan, Paul Rapoli, and Carlos Balmaceda also put hits on the board.

Bruinsma pitched well in his outing throwing a complete game with eight strikeouts. He improved his record to 4-0 further making his mark on the conference as one its most effective arms.

Adam Heidenfelder looked good early for Old Westbury through five innings. He got into some trouble in the sixth resulting in a Maritime breakout. He surrendered five runs on nine hits in today’s start. RHP Dan Aguilo came in relief and threw four innings giving up five runs on six hits with three strikeouts.

Game two was a much closer game where Old Westbury found some momentum early. The game was tied at one heading to the bottom half of the third when Russo and Ziegen put up two more runs with a base hit and a sacrifice fly. They were then able to put one more on the board in the fifth with another sacrifice fly from Ziegen making it 4-1 heading to the sixth.

Christian Tessitore was dealing for the first five innings and was then pulled after only surrendering a run on three hits. The sixth inning is definitely one that the Panthers wish they could take back. Jimmy English was brought in and pitched solid, but the defense behind him struggled. The first three Maritime hitters in the inning reached on errors loading the bases with no one out for McLaughlin, who doubled to the right-center field gap driving in two runs and putting runners on second and third for Schiavoni, who then reached on a fielder’s choice plating another run tying the game at four. Russo then hit a sacrifice fly which gave Maritime the lead and ultimately the win.

Maritime Head Coach Charlie Barbieri, said that his team has shown a winning mentality all season and when they are down in a game, they don’t view it as a deficit. They view it as an opportunity to come back and be resilient to fight back and get the victory.

Russo had a monster day for Old Westbury going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Liam Slattery, Dean Sheridan, and Carlos Balmaceda also had multi-hit games with two hits apiece. Paul Rapoli had a hit in the game as well.

Though the offense was not nearly as strong as it was in game one, the Privateers still found ways to be resilient and persevere. The team totaled five hits in total with McLaughlin, Parilla, and Semler putting the only hits on the board. Maritime’s run production primarily came from McLaughlin who posted three RBI on two hits while scoring a run himself.

Tessitore was dominant this time out in five innings so the Panthers will continue looking to him for consistent success. English pitched well in relief, but the defense did not put it together behind him.

A.J. Ammirati got the start for Maritime going five innings allowing four runs on eight hits and only two strikeouts. Ammirati ended up getting a no-decision in today’s game due to his team’s late comeback. Skylar Graff got his first win on the season coming out of the bullpen throwing two scoreless innings on only three hits.

Old Westbury will look to bounce back on Tuesday against Lehman College while Maritime will try to continue their hot streak against NYU on Wednesday.