Bobby Pollock’s grand slam to break the game open for Farmingdale! @FarmStateRams pic.twitter.com/MSSmoHVnL8
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 20, 2021
Is there anything better than Opening Day? Oh that’s right, Opening Day on a 50 degree sunny day with no wind.
Although it was a little later in the year than normal, Farmingdale State finally kicked off their title defense on Saturday in a home double header against Manhattanville, the newcomers to the Skyline Conference. I cannot say that there was a raucous atmosphere, considering there was no spectators in attendance besides myself and Christine, our photographer.
The Rams came away with two victories, here’s how it went down:
Joe Marino got the start for the Rams and he was opposed by Luke Schaffer. Both starting pitchers were effective early but the Valiants got on the board first in the top of the third on a sac fly by Jack Matero.
They added another run in the fifth on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.
The Rams fought back in the home half of the fifth when Giancarlo Giacometti singled and Aidan Hutchins was hit by a pitch. Tommy Secaira dropped down a perfect bunt to third that loaded the bases with one out for the dangerous Vin Napolitano. He tied the game up with a 2-R single through the left side to make it 2-2.
Vin Napolitano ties the game with a 2-R single in the fifth inning pic.twitter.com/x6Em1zaKML
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 20, 2021
Matthew Messina came on in relief and put out the fire to keep the game tied.
In the top of the sixth, the Valiants took a 4-2 lead with the go-ahead run scoring on an RBI single by Jake Parisi (Centereach 2019).
Farmingdale RHP Christian Esperon did a great job in relief to go 1.1 shutout innings to keep the game within striking distance for the Rams. Also, Giancarlo Giacometti deserves credit for keeping the score 4-2, when he made a diving play at second to snuff out a bases loaded rally.
In the home half of the seventh, trailing 4-2, the Rams needs a rally. Aidan Hutchins got them going with a leadoff down the left field line. Tommy Secaira drove him in with a single to left field to make it 4-3 and put the tying run on base. Vin Napolitano was hit by a pitch and Bobby Pollock blooped a single to right to load the bases. Chris Driscoll singled to right field to score Secaira to tie the game up. Jordan Lambert hit a sac fly to left to score Napolitano and give the Rams the walk-off win.
Game 2
Stephen Clancy got the start for the Rams and he was terrific. He went 5 IP, allowing just two hits, struck out five and walked none. He earned the win. The offense got him all the runs he needed in the second inning on a two-run double by Peter Minneci and an RBI double by Nolan White.
Christian Esperon came back in for relief and threw a scoreless sixth inning and Joe Marino came in for the seventh inning, allowing a run to score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Jake Parisi.
The Rams offense exploded for a five-spot in the seventh inning thanks in large part to a grand slam by Bobby Pollock. They added another on Minneci’s RBI double to score Giacometti. Marino wound up with the three-inning save.
Of the 11 hits by the Rams, three came off the bat of Giacometti.
These two teams will be back in action tomorrow for a DH at Manhattanville.
