Hometown teams put together an 11-6 record on Saturday. A number of teams that were struggling out of the gate are beginning to find their way. As we are getting deeper into the season, we have a decent image of where these teams stand for this season and what their identities are. We will see if the latter part of the season sparks any change of direction for any of these squads.
St. John’s drops two of last three after loss to Creighton
This is the team that not just Long Islanders have their eyes on, but people across the nation as well. The Red Storm have been one of the best teams in the country since the season’s inaugural week with a powerhouse lineup and lights-out pitching and defense. This past number of games, however, are games that they could possibly want to redo. They have lost two out of their last three against unranked teams in Columbia and Creighton on Saturday. The Johnnies squeaked it out on Friday in 14 innings, but could not grab two in a row with a 7-4 loss on Saturday.
St. John’s found offense in the game putting up two runs in the first inning, but that would be the only lead they would have in the game. They put up 13 hits, but struggled to get base runners to cross the plate. Anthony Brocato and Jamie Galazin had three hits apiece whereas Mike Donadio, Jesse Berardi, Gui Gingras recorded two hits each. However, those five only combined for three RBI. John Valente also had a hit in the game with two runs scored.
The pitching though it was not bad, it was not at its best in this contest for the Johnnies. Jeff Belge got the start and allowed three runs on four hits in 4.2 innings. In relief, Turner French and Aaron Herr struggled surrendering four runs on four hits in 2.2 innings combined. David Moyer was then able to get the final two outs without a scratch.
St. John’s will look to take the series against Creighton on Sunday.
Stony Brook climbs back to .500 with three straight against SHU
It had to come eventually and it is finally here. The Seawolves are playing great baseball as of late and everyone was waiting for the breakout. They have put up a 9-2 record since they returned from UC-Santa Barbara dating back to March 19th. After sweeping Sacred Heart on Saturday with an 11-5 win and a 6-5 win, the Stony Brook heat is only getting hotter.
Just like their current winning streak, the bats for the Seawolves were red hot in game one. 11 runs on 11 hits is not only a slugfest, but an efficient slugfest. The bottom of the order held it down for Stony Brook in this one combining for seven hits, six RBI, and eight runs scored. Dylan Resk, who homered twice in the game, and Jeremy Giles had two hits apiece with Nick Grande putting up three hits. Brandon Janofsky has worked his way to the top of the lineup and proving it by posting two hits in Saturday’s contest whereas Bobby Honeyman and Chris Hamilton also had hits in the game.
Brian Herrmann did not have a picture perfect start, but the scoreboard says that it was good enough for a win. He surrendered five runs on ten hits in 4.1 innings. The left-handed, sidearm throwing closer, Teddy Rodliff, was fantastic in relief in an expanded role. He pitched 2.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Game two was a bit more dramatic with the Seawolves claiming victory in walk-off fashion. With a single down the left field line by Dylan Resk, Stony Brook officially reached .500 at 14-14 on the year. Resk piled onto his incredible afternoon by collecting four of SBU’s ten hits. Casey Baker also put up a multi-hit effort with two hits, two runs scored, and two RBI. Toby Handley, Andruw Gazzola, Chris Hamilton, and Sean Buckhout also had hits in the game.
Greg Marino got the start for the Seawolves and put up very solid numbers this time out. He went five innings allowing four runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Hard throwing, Aaron Pinto, came in relief and continued his great season only allowing a run on two hits in four innings while also striking out five.
Stony Brook will try to sweep the four game series with Sacred Heart on Sunday.
Mike Trout photographed for BodyArmor sports drink by Monte Isom
Hofstra’s struggles continue in loss to Towson
Hofstra falls to 7-21 on the season with this 12-6 loss at home to Towson. They have yet to find that spark plug that can turn their season around. The Pride offense played well putting up 14 hits on the day, but the pitching just could not keep up. Jorge Marrero had trouble finding the zone consistently walking seven guys and allowing ten runs to cross the plate on only five hits in 4.1 innings. His record now drops to 1-4 on the year. Matt Weissheier was great in 3.2 innings in relief only surrendering two hits without a run scoring. James Beasley then came in for one inning and allowing two runs on two hits in the final inning.
The offense for the Pride was there as eight of the starting nine put hits on the board. Nick Bottari led the team with three hits on the day hitting in the seven hole. Vito Friscia, Mikey Riesner, and Chris Hardardt also had multi-hit games with two hits apiece. Sean Rausch, Brad Witkowski, Steven Foster, David Leiderman, and Vinnie Costello also had hits in the game.
Hofstra will look to take a game in the series against Towson on Sunday.
NYIT takes shutout loss to Georgetown
NYIT is a team whose season has not gone the way they had planned. As they fall to 3-20-1 on the season, this is a team who needs late season wins as much as anyone. As far as this 9-0 loss is concerned, nothing was going right for the Bears. The offense could not produce any runs despite having seven hits and the pitching surrendered nine runs on 13 hits. To sum it up, this was not a great outing for this team.
The Bear’s lineup did not have a player with more than one hit in the game with a majority of the production coming from the bottom half of the lineup. Joe Fusco, Anthony Martelli, Anthony Caradonna, Jake Lebel, Matt DeAngelis, Ben McNeill, and Nick Vlahakis had hits in the game.
Matt Diaz struggled this time out allowing six runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings while also walking six batters. Joe Murphy came in relief and allowed another two runs on three hits in only 1.1 innings.
NYIT will look to get a win in the final game against Georgetown on Sunday.
Molloy sweeps Queens in a thrilling double-header
This was a matchup that most Long Island baseball fans were thrilled to see. These two hometown teams delivered a fantastic set of games on Saturday with Molloy emerging victorious in both games. Both contests were loaded with explosive offense featuring scores of 18-13 and an extra inning 10-9 thriller.
In game one, Queens jumped out to an early 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the second, but the Molloy Lions came out roaring putting up 15 runs after three innings. Regardless of what Queens put up, Molloy always came back with an answer. That’s the kind of series this was. With Molloy ultimately winning 18-13, to say that offense controlled the game would be an understatement.
Molloy’s production primarily came from five players who all posted multi-hit days. Angelo Navetta, Mike Rahn, Elijah Leerdam, Jake Saltzman, and Ryan Dillon combined for ten hits and 14 RBI in the game. Kevin Podell, Anthony Alberghina, and Anthony Galanoudis also had hits in the game.
Queens’ offense was a bit more condensed with Jon Temenak being the big run producer on the day. He went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Joel Mendez and Paulino Harrington had two hits apiece also combining for five RBI. Joe Pidoto also gave the Knights a spark in the cleanup spot producing two runs on a hit. Tom Parish scored five times in the game with only one hit and walking four times.
Game two was an eight-inning thriller that ended in a Jake Saltzman walk-off single. It was not quite the offensive showcase as game one, but with both teams combining for 24 hits, you could easily say that the bats were in control in this one. Kevin Podell and Jack McCarty had multi-hit days with Brian Murphy, Mike Rahn, Elijah Leerdam, Anthony Alberghina, and Jake Saltzman all having hits in the game as well.
As far as the Queens Knights go, the hits were flying all over the yard. Five hitters found multiple hits in the game contributing to 14 hits on the game. Tom Parish, Joe Morris, Bill Riches, Louis Antos, and Brian Watters all posted multi-hit efforts. Joel Mendez, Andrew Navarez, and Joe Pidoto also had base hits in the game.
Molloy and Queens will continue the series on Sunday and Monday.
LIU Post splits with Bridgeport at home
LIU Post stays even at 12-12 on the year while splitting a double header with Bridgeport on Saturday. Redemption was definitely wanted after a big loss in game one 12-3. The pitching struggled big time in this game after surrendering 14 hits. James Varela got the start and earned his fourth loss surrendering four runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. Kurt Rissland came in relief and went three innings while giving up three runs on five hits. Jack Laudani struggled allowing four runs without allowing a hit and six walks while only recording an out.
The Pioneers’ offense was solid this time out, but it just wasn’t enough to bring home a win. Joe Piscitelli and Kenny Daley had two hits apiece with Daley having the only RBI on the day. Tom Asbaty, Jimmy Mendyk, and Sal Geraci also had hits in the game.
The pitching definitely showed up in game two only allowing two hits in a 2-1 win. Brian Kavanagh was brilliant this time out allowing only one run on two hits in 6.1 innings. He didn’t allow the run until the seventh inning on a single up the middle. Dan Jagiello got his fifth save of the season after getting the final two outs of the game.
Sal Geraci was the big producer for the game with two hits and an RBI single in the fourth. Tom Asbaty, Kenny Daley, Dave Brehm, and Jimmy Mendyk also had hits in the game with with Daley having an RBI in the first.
LIU Post will look for the series win on Sunday against Bridgeport.
Maritime takes two from Purchase
The Maritime Privateers are just getting hotter and hotter at just the right time. They have improved to 13-7 on the season while staying undefeated in conference play. The pitching for Maritime is really what is carrying this team to its success. The 4-2 win in game one was led by Anthony D’Ancona who pitched a complete game allowing only two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts. He only allowed one free base runner on a hit-by-pitch. His record improves to 3-1 on the year.
The bats did enough to get the win in this one putting up four runs on eight hits. Phil Russo and Connor Alwan had two hits each anchoring down the bottom half of the lineup. Matt Costleigh, Chris Deddo, Steve Semler, and Aaron Schiavoni had hits in the game as well with Semler and Schiavoni having RBI.
Game two for the Privateers was not nearly as close and can be viewed as a more comfortable win. Once again, the pitching was brilliant in the 7-1 win only allowing a run on four hits. Miller Place graduate, Matt Paghidas, went six strong innings only allowing a run on four hits with six strikeouts. Paghidas moves to 4-1 on the season as he continues to be one of their most reliable arms. Alex Poliwoda was brought in in the seventh to close it out striking out two of the three batters he faced.
The hits were spread out among their eight hits with only one player having more than one in the game. Brian McLaughlin went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Matt Costleigh, Chris Deddo, Steve Semler, Aaron Schiavoni, Phil Russo, and Connor Alwan all had hits in the game as well.
Maritime will face St. Joe’s in a double-header on Sunday to continue their hot streak.
Old Westbury sweeps Mount St. Mary in double-header
Old Westbury remains in good shape in their fight for the top of the Skyline Conference after taking two wins against Mount St. Mary on Saturday. The Panthers’ offense was fantastic throughout the day with a 10-5 win and an 8-4 win in both games. Like Maritime, good baseball is being played at the right time.
Game one was on the cusp of falling out of the Panthers’ hands. They were down 5-1 heading into the seventh, but Old Westbury prevailed putting a nine spot in the seventh inning batting around in the order and wreaking havoc on MSM pitching. Kevin Lao is starting to tear the cover off of the baseball going 3-for-6 driving in four runs and scoring one for himself. He is getting back to the form we saw from him last season. Jesse Russo, Jesse Matos, and Paul Rapoli each had two hits in the game combining for another four RBI. David Hawley, Tommy Ziegen, and Louis Sileno also had hits in the game with each of them scoring a run.
Trey Pizzutello got the start for the Panthers going 5.2 innings allowing five runs, only two earned, on six hits with five strikeouts. James English came in relief and got the win after only going an inning without allowing a run or a hit. Vinny Negri then came in and got the save after throwing 2.1 innings only allowing a hit and striking out two.
Game two was not much different as far as the stat sheet goes, but the run production was broken up throughout the game this time around. Mount St. Mary jumped out to a 3-2 lead after the first inning, but the Panthers came out on top scoring a run in three consecutive innings while also scoring three in the seventh ultimately sealing the win.
The lineup felt good after the win after every guy posted a hit with two having multi-hit efforts. Jesse Russo had three hits with an RBI and two runs scored while Tommy Ziegen had two hits and an RBI as well. David Hawley, Kevin Lao, Dean Sheridan, Paul Rapoli, Liam Slattery, Carlos Balmaceda, and Jesse Matos all had hits in the game as well. Lao also recorded two RBI in the game.
Danny Aguilo got the start and the win pushing his record to 3-0 on the season. He went the full seven innings allowing four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. We are starting to see him grow into one of their more solid arms as the season goes on.
Old Westbury will take on Purchase in a double-header on Sunday.
Farmingdale State wins four straight with sweep of Mount St. Vincent
Let the wins keep coming in for these Farmingdale State Rams as they have had a good weekend so far winning all four games. On Saturday, they were able to take two more against Mount St. Vincent 7-1 and 5-4. This improves their record to 12-10 while also having a 7-2 record within the Skyline.
Game one saw great offense and great pitching from the Rams. The bats came alive as they put up seven runs on 13 hits. Six players in the Farmingdale lineup had multiple hits. Cam Alfano, Vincent Rice, Dalton McCarthy, Nick Soriano, Domenic Palumbo, and Anthony Gigante all had two hits apiece in the game. McCarthy also had a pair of RBI in the game. We also saw Joe Roche record a hit in the game.
Joe D’Arco got the start for the Rams and was brilliant in 2.2 innings of work. He didn’t give up a hit or a run in his outing while striking out three. Ryan O’Connor came in and got the win after going 6.1 strong frames allowing a run on five hits with four strikeouts.
Game two was a bit of a nail-biter after losing a 3-0 lead in the seventh and needing to come back in the bottom half and get the win. Mount St. Vincent was able to put up four runs in the seventh innings giving them a one run lead. Farmingdale then was able to muster up two more in the bottom half ultimately winning it for them.
Nick Attardi and Tyler Schrimpf had multi-hit days for Farmingdale with Attardi crossing the plate twice. Vincent Rice, Dalton McCarthy, Chris Reilly, Domenic Palumbo, and Anthony Gigante had hits in the game as well.
Darien Poveda went 1.2 innings to start the game only allowing a hit with no runs and one strikeout. Kenneth Simco was brought in and threw very well in 5.1 innings. He allowed four runs that were all unearned due to a bad defensive inning in the seventh and only three hits. He was given the win on the game evening out his record at 1-1.
Farmingdale will look to add to their great weekend with a couple of wins on Sunday against St. Joseph’s Brooklyn.
