1-2-3 first inning for Tom Ambrosino. Panthers coming to bat pic.twitter.com/R0k7sUfJXn
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 11, 2021
After such a long delay from the end of their 2020 season, it was only right they had some breaks come their way. Adelphi opened up their 2021 season on a sun-soaked day at William J. Bonomo Field and to make things even better for them – came away with a 15-0 victory over Felician.
“We have been very diligent with being conscious of Covid,” said HC Dom Scala. “That tells me a lot about the mindset that the captains and veterans have instilled in the team. We had 1 practice outside and then intersquad. Had a pleasantly surprising game. I was feeling good going into today. Told them let play smash mouth baseball and they did,” he added.
Tom Ambrosino got the start for the Panthers for the first time since 2018. He led Division-II pitchers in saves in 2019, so it’s fairly hard to believe he was able to make such a smooth transition back to starting. He certainly did not look like there was any rust, as he struck out five over four hitless innings.
Coach Dom Scala stated, “One of our starters was ineligible. Ambro was a no-brainer to take his place. Big, strong and determined to win another championship. Overpowered them today. Will only get stronger with more outings.”
The Panthers offense was relentless in this one against Felician LHP Darwin Matos. They got on the board in the first inning on an RBI double to left field by Matt Alifano. The Center Moriches grad had a huge game, going 3-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and two walks.
Scala is very high on him.
“Alifano is a stud. He has gotten bigger and stronger. He also found out you have to put in the work everyday if you want to get to the next level. He is a special talent. Tremendous bat speed & the ball explodes off his bat. Terrific at 3rd and going to be my closer. I just have to be smart not to over use him.”
They added another run in the second inning on an RBI double just inside the third base line off the bat of CF Cooper Johnson. The Panthers did not score in the third inning, but it turns out that it was the only inning they would not score in this one.
A sac fly by Johnson and a wild pitch added two runs in the fourth inning.
They broke the game open in the fifth inning with a five-spot. Tim Feliz‘s RBI triple was followed by a fielder’s choice. Johnson hit an RBI single and Alifano smoked a two-run double to open up a 9-0 lead. That would extend to double digits in the next inning on a home run by Feliz to make it 10-0.
The game was in hand, but pinch hitter Jason Romero put an exclamation point on it with a three-run shot in the eighth inning to make it 15-0.
Great job was done by the Panthers pitching staff to allow just one hit on Opening Day. Five relievers – Steven Murphy, Nic Luc, Jacob Dannenberg, Michael Storms and Carlos Acosta combined to throw five no-hit innings. Murphy was awarded the win.
Anthony Cipri also had a great game – going 3-for-4 with four runs scored.
They will be back in action with a home double header on Saturday against Pace beginning at noon.
