Darwin Tavarez talking to @zackpenn4 on ASA’s victory over Nassau CC @asacollege pic.twitter.com/bwAWSw5tak
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 31, 2018
A gorgeous Saturday for baseball at Mitchel Field turned into a route as ASA College took down Nassau Community College Lions, 17-3.
NCC started the game off well, grabbing a 3-0 lead after the first two innings behind a pair of ASA errors. With two runners in scoring position after a pair of walks and subsequent stolen bases, Nassau’s second basemen Brian Perez reached on a fielder’s choice to third that scored two runs after ASA’s third basemen overthrew first.
Unfortunately, that would be the highlight of the game for NCC as their bats went dead after the second inning. The Lions plated only 3 hits on the day and many of their baserunners only reached due to sloppy fielding for ASA.
Joe Minucci got the start of NCC and looked good on the mound, but was pulled after just 2 innings to stay fresh for upcoming conference play. He struck out 3 and allowed no base runners.
Once Minucci came out, the ASA bats came alive.
Darwin Tavarez lit up the NCC relievers, driving in a whopping 7 runs and finishing just a single short of the cycle.
His first extra base hit was a stand up triple that gave ASA their first lead of the game and was part of an 8 run fourth inning.
Tavarez hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning and would have had a second homer in the sixth, but with no fence lining Mitchel Field, the umpire controversially ruled it a ground-rule double. Had the score been closer, Tavarez and his teammates would have quibbled, but instead they just shrugged with smiles across their faces.
After scoring 8 in the fourth, 4 in the fifth and 5 in the sixth inning, the mercy rule came into effect and the game was called in six innings.
Blaylor Galice got the start for ASA and struck out 5 with 2 walks and 3 runs (none of which were earned), before he left due to a blistered right foot.
Nassau sent eight different pitchers to the mound, all of whom gave up at least one earned run except for Minucci.
NCC will attempt to bounce back as they kick off conference play on Tuesday against Queensborough Community College, while ASA will try to capitalize on their momentum heading into a Tuesday doubleheader against Dutchess Community College.
